ABSTRACT

Objective:

Helicobacter pylori is implicated in gastric and duodenal carcinoma, gastric and duodenal ulcers, atrophic gastritis, dyspepsia, gastric adenocarcinoma and gastric lymphoma. Eradication of Helicobacter pylori has a major role in the treatment of the mentioned diseases.

Methods:

Two thousand and sixty nine gastro endoscopic examinations performed in the İstanbul Research and Education Hospital Endoscopy Unit during July-October 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. During each examination, specimens were obtained and sent to the Pathology department. Each specimen was dyed using the Modified Giemsa technique. The status of Helicobacter pylori was made as -(negative), +(positive first level), ++ (positive second level), +++ (positive third level).

Results:

Out of 2069 gastroendoscopic examinations performed in the İstanbul Research and Education Hospital Endoscopy Unit during July- October 2010, 301 were reported by the performing endoscopist to be totally normal. In 175 of these, Helicobacter pylori was at least + (58%), whereas in 126 patients’ biopsy results Helicobacter pylori was - (42%).

Conclusion:

In this study, in patients with normal gastroendoscopic findings, Helicobacter pylori is present in at least + in 58% of patients. Considering the wide range of diseases caused by this bacteria, in every endoscopic examination at least one specimen should be obtained.