A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Study to Investigate the Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori and the Sensitivity of its Diagnostic Methods in Iran

CONTEXT: Helicobacter pylori is the most common infecting organism affecting humans, being almost half the population infected. The aim of this study was to find out the epidemiological features and the sensitivity of diagnostic methods of Helicobacter pylori infection in Iran, which can provide the logic of developing preventive approaches to control Helicobacter pylori infections and the associated diseases. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: By reviewing the databases of SID, MAGIRAN, SCOPUS, MEDLIB, Google, ISI and PUBMED, a total of 30 papers, published from 1994 to 2011, were extracted. Summary prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated using random-effects model. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA Ver.11. RESULTS: Among the 30 studies evaluated, the prevalence rate of Helicobacter pylori infections in Iran was estimated as 50.7 % (95% CI: 44.4-56.9%). When the sensitivity of diagnostic methods was evaluated, ELISA, with an accuracy rate of 52.3% (95% CI: 43.8 to 60.8%) was found the most accurate diagnostic method available. The highest and the least Helicobacter pylori prevalence were 19.2% in Tehran and 74.27% in Mazandran respectively. CONCLUSIONS: About half the population in Iran is infected with Helicobacter pylori, the pollution in different areas and preventive strategies should be carried out to control this infection. The prevalence rate of Helicobacter pylori infections in Iran showed only little changes during the years 1994 to 2011.