Perception of gastroesophageal reflux disease in urban population in Pakistan

To determine the frequency and health care seeking behavior of patients with gastroesophageal reflux symptoms using American College of Gastroenterology [ACG] questionnaire for gastroesophageal reflux disease [GERD]. Cross-sectional study. Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from April 2002 to November 2003. A total of 1267 persons above 15 years of age were interviewed using a modified questionnaire for GERD from the American College of Gastroenterology [ACG], which previously validated in our section as a screening tool in an urban population in Pakistan. Nine hundred and sixty-three individuals responded to the questionnaire. Mean age of the surveyed sample was 24 ' 9.3 years. Using the ACG criteria, the overall frequency of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms was 24% [228/963] with 58% [133/228] males and 42% [95/228] females. Symptoms experienced frequently were reflux from the stomach, 58% [133/228], with a bitter, acid taste in the mouth. Seventy-four percent [169/228] experienced this postprandially. Symptoms were associated with spicy fried food in 71% [161/228]. Sixty-seven percent [152/228] did not seek health care advice, 32% [74/228] practiced self-medications and 33% [76/228] consulted a physician. Gastroesophageal reflux is a common problem in the urban population of Pakistan

Polymerase chain reaction in the detection of helicobacter pylori infection

To determine the presence of Helicobacter pylori [H. pylori] infection, in patients suffering from gastritis and peptic ulcer disease by polymerase chain reaction [PCR] and correlate the results with the histological diagnosis. Design: Analytical, comparative study. Place and Duration of Study: Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine and Pathology, Aga Khan University Hospital and School of Life Sciences and Chemical Technology, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore from November, 2001 to December, 2002. Patients and Gastric antral biopsies were obtained from 64 patients attending the Gastroenterology Section of Aga Khan University Hospital. Patients on nonsteroidal-anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDS] were excluded. Gastric biopsies were sent for histopathology and used for DNA extraction and PCR amplification of H. pylori 16S ribosomal RNA [rRNA] gene. Results were compared and statistically analyzed. H. pylori were not visible by histology in 57.6% [34/59] and could be seen in 42.4% [25/59]. PCR test was negative for H. pylori DNA in 44.1% [26/59] and positive in 55.9% [33/59] with p<0.001. PCR H. pylori DNA is a sensitive method for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection and its use as a diagnostic tool along with histology increases the detection rate of H. pylori infection. Two different staining methods for the organism should be used to avoid missing diagnosis of H. pylori infection