ABSTRACT
Background: Dyspepsia is one of the common complaints in all sectors of the Indian population. It is diagnosed in the presence of symptoms thought to originate from gastroduodenal region and if there is no organic cause to explain dyspeptic symptoms on upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, the patient is labeled as functional dyspepsia (FD). Helicobacter pylori, a Gram-negative bacilli harboring in the acidic gastric environment has been said to be the causative agent, but this association has not been proved in Indian population. Hence, this study was conducted to find out the prevalence of H. pylori in FD. Methods: After the approval from Institutional Ethics Committee, patients presenting with symptoms of dyspepsia of both sex, within age group of 18-60 years and any dietary habit were enrolled in the study. After a detailed history and complete general and systemic examination, patients were subjected to gastroduodenoscopy. On endoscopy, if no lesion was observed, then the patient was labeled as FD. The severity of dyspepsia symptoms was assessed by seven-point global overall symptom (GOS) scale. Patients were then screened for H. pylori infection by both invasive (rapid urease, Gram staining, and culture) and non-invasive tests (C-14 urea breath test). Results: The prevalence of H. pylori in FD was found to be 63.38%. Among 90 H. pylori positive FD patients, 56% were male, 58.89% were below the age of 40 years, and 53.33% belonged to middle income group. The average GOS score for dyspepsia symptoms was 6.01±0.64. Epigastric pain and mild gastritis were the most common presenting symptom and endoscopic finding, respectively. Conclusion: Our results suggest that H. pylori is an important causative factor for dyspeptic symptoms in patients of FD. Hence, all the FD patients must be investigated for H. pylori and treated promptly.