Seroepidemiology of Helicobacter pylori infection in an urban, upper class population in Chennai

In India, no true population-based seroepidemiological data on Helicobacter pylori infection are available. Serological studies have been done on hospital-based subjects chosen predominantly from lower socioeconomic strata. A population-based serological study was done in a randomly selected urban, upper class population (children under 12 excluded). Of 163 households, 126 participated (response rate 77%); the number of respondents was 406. Blood was collected from 354 persons (response rate 87%). A latex agglutination test was used for serology. Demographic data, socioeconomic indicators and history of treatment for acid-peptic disease (APD) were also collected. The overall seroprevalence was 49.4% (95% confidence interval 44.1-54.8). Seroprevalence increased with age, ranging from 21.1% in the 12-20 years age group to 76.2% in the > 70 years group (p = 0.0003), and with larger family size (p < 0.05); it was lower among those living in nuclear families (p < 0.03). No association was found with gender, treatment for APD, and number of generations living together. Though the overall seroprevalence of H. pylori in this urban, educated, upper class population is high, the age-specific prevalence is different from what has been reported earlier in India; the pattern resembles that of a developed country.