Role of Helicobacter pylori in the genesis of gastric ulcerations among smokers and nonsmokers

Helicobacter pylori infection was investigated by three different methods [serologically, microbiologically and biochemically] in 210 male patients aged 20-40 years. Gastric ulcers were diagnosed in 126 patients in which H. pylori infection showed a significant association X[2] = 162.8]. Smokers had a higher rate of infection than nonsmokers, both among patients with gastric ulcers [99% compared to 79%] and without. The risk of H. pylori infection was computed for different categories of smoker. Heavy cigarette smokers were found to have the highest risk, followed by moderate to mild cigarette smokers and communal shisha smokers; neither private shisha nor cigar/pipe smokers showed any significant risk