Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection and dyspepsia in young adults in Germany

Data on the seroprevalence and time of acquisition of Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection in Germany are scarce. We studied the seroprevalence of HP infection and the relationship with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in a group of 168 German medical students in the final year of their practical training and in 260 age-matched blood donors al the University of Ulm. Eight upper GI symptoms were scored in a questionnaire, and blood samples were taken for the detection of HP IgG antibodies with an Enzyme Immunoassay (Bio-Rad). Values greater than 12.5 U/ml (positive) were detected in 50 medical students (28.8%) and in 96 blood donors (36.9%). At least one occasional GI symptom was present in 71.4% of medical students and 70.7% of blood donors. When related to he HP status, 27.0% of HP negative and 32.9% of HP positive individuals were completely free of symptoms. Moderate to severe dyspeptic symptoms were reported by 17.4% of HP negative and 14.4% of HP positive individuals. We conclude that the seroprevalence of HP infection in young German adults is presently about 1/3 but that HP infection is not linked to gastrointestinal symptoms in this age class.