Endoscopic Reflux Esophagitis and Helicobacter pylori Infection in Young Healthy Japanese Volunteers

Background/Aims: The prevalence of endoscopic esophagitis in young Japanese individuals is not fully apparent. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of reflux esophagitis (RE) and Helicobacter pylori infection and their relationship in young healthy Japanese volunteers. Methods: Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed in 242 young healthy Japanese medical students (age range 22–29 years, mean 23.2 years) at Saga Medical School between 2008 and 2010. H. pylori infection was determined by detecting urinary IgG antibodies to H. pylori. Results:H. pylori antibodies were detected in 30 of the 242 subjects (12.4%). All 30 subjects had endoscopic chronic gastritis without peptic ulcers. Endoscopic RE was present in 27 of the 242 subjects (11.2%), corresponding to grade A in 19 subjects (7.9%), grade B in 7 (2.9%) and grade C in 1 (0.4%). Only 1 subject with RE was H. pylori-positive; the other 26 subjects with esophagitis were H. pylori-negative. We found no risk factors for H. pylori infection, but a risk factor for endoscopic esophagitis was alcohol consumption. Conclusion: The prevalence of H. pylori infection and endoscopic RE was 12.4 and 11.2%, respectively, in young healthy Japanese volunteers. Alcohol consumption was a risk factor for RE.