# Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Endoscopic Findings of Helicobacter pylori Infection Among Lebanese Patients Undergoing Gastroscopy: A Retrospective Study from a Single Tertiary Center

## TL;DR

This study examines how common Helicobacter pylori infection is among Lebanese patients with stomach issues and finds it is linked to various types of gastritis.

## Contribution

The study provides new data on H. pylori prevalence and its association with gastritis in Lebanon, where prior information was limited.

## Key findings

- H. pylori infection was found in 29.6% of patients despite high gastritis rates.
- Infection was significantly linked to erosive and non-erosive gastritis and duodenitis.
- No significant links were found between H. pylori and demographic factors or atrophic gastritis.

## Abstract

(1) Background: Gastric cancer continues to pose a significant public health challenge, with its incidence influenced by various factors, including Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. In Lebanon, data on H. pylori prevalence and its associated risk factors remain limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of H. pylori infection among Lebanese outpatients presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms undergoing gastroscopy, to explore correlations between the infection and demographic and clinical variables, and to evaluate the prevalence of associated conditions such as gastritis, duodenitis, and intestinal metaplasia. (2) Methods: Using a retrospective design, data from 786 patients admitted at a hospital in Beirut over a three-year period were extracted from records. (3) Results: The prevalence of H. pylori infection was 29.6% despite 91.5% of patients showing signs of gastritis on endoscopy. The infection showed significant associations with erosive gastritis, non-erosive gastritis, mosaic gastritis, as well as with both erosive and non-erosive duodenitis. No significant relationships were observed between H. pylori and demographic factors, atrophic, or nodular gastritis. (4) Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of targeted testing and early eradication of H. pylori to manage gastritis effectively and reduce the risk of progression to more serious gastric conditions in the Lebanese population.