Source: Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol  |  Posted 2 weeks ago

Seroprevalence and Determinants of Helicobacter pylori Infection in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos; Tsang S, AvilC)s-Santa M, Abnet C, Brito M, Daviglus M, Wassertheil-Smoller S, CastaC1eda S, Minnerath S, Talavera G, Graubard B, Thyagarajan B, Camargo M; Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology 20 (3), e438-e451 (Mar 2022)

BACKGROUND & AIMS Helicobacter pylori infection is the primary known risk factor for gastric cancer. Despite the global decline in H.B pylori prevalence, this infection remains a major public health concern in developing areas, including Latin America. Our study aimed to determine H.B pylori seroprevalence and identified its determinants among Hispanics/Latinos living in the United States (U.S.).

METHODS The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) is a population-based sample of self-identified Hispanics/Latinos (n = 16,144) in four U.S. communities, aged 18 to 74 years, recruited from randomly selected households using a stratified two-stage area probability sample design based on sampling households within sampled census block groups weighted for differential response rates. Anti-H.B pylori immunoglobulin G antibodies were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using plasma samples. We calculated adjusted seroprevalence (i.e., predicted margins) from multivariable logistic regression models.

RESULTS The overall weighted H.B pylori seroprevalence was 57% among HCHS/SOL participants, with 38% and 62% seropositivity among U.S.-born and non-U.S.-born individuals, respectively. Age-adjusted prevalence varied by self-reported Hispanic/Latino background, ranging from 47% in Puerto Rican to 72% in Central American backgrounds. Adjusted H.B pylori seroprevalence was higher in the following groups: older age, male sex, lower education, non-U.S. born status, smoking, greater number of missing teeth, fewer doctor visits, lower ferritin level, and hepatitis A seropositivity.

CONCLUSIONS H.B pylori seroprevalence in Hispanics/Latinos remains high and differed significantly by Hispanic/Latino background. H.B pylori seropositivity is strongly associated with poor socioeconomic conditions. These findings highlight the ongoing importance of this bacterial infection in the U.S.