Background: The seroepidemiology of Helicobacter pylori infection in general
population in Durango City, Mexico has not been previously studied. Aims: To determine
the seroprevalence of anti-H. pylori antibodies in
the general population in Durango City, Mexico; and to determine socio-demographic, clinical, and behavioral characteristics of the general population associated with H. pylori seropositivity.
Methods: The prevalence of anti-H. pylori IgG antibodies was examined in 345 individuals in Durango City, Mexico,
using enzyme-linked immunoassays. Socio-demographic, clinical, and behavioral
characteristics of the general population associated with H. pylori seroprevalence were also investigated. Results: In total,
231 (67%) of the 345 participants (mean age, 45.3. ± 17.5 years) had H. pylori IgG antibodies, 146 (63.2%) of whom had H. pylori IgG antibody levels higher
than 100 U/mL. Both H. pylori seroprevalence and antibody levels increased significantly with age, and were
similar in males and females. An increased H. pylori seroprevalence was found in subjects with low education and
employed. In contrast, a low seroprevalence was found in subjects living in
suburban areas. One of four subjects with gastritis symptoms had anti-H. pylori antibodies. The seroprevalence
of H. pylori was significantly higher
among women with abortion history than among those without such history. Multivariate
analysis of behavioral variables showed that H. pylori seropositivity was
negatively associated with raising farm
animals (OR = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.25-0.91; P = 0.02). Conclusions: In the general population studied, H. pylori seroreactivity increased significantly with age, not only
in frequency but also in intensity. Residence, education, and occupation of the
study population influenced the seropositivity rate of H. pylori.