Helicobacter pylori Infection in Tripoli, North Lebanon: Assessment and Risk Factors

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has been classified as a Class I carcinogen by the International Agency of Research on Cancer (IARC) and has been identified as the most common etiologic agent of infection-associated cancers. Early detection and eradication of H. pylori can definitely lead to long-term healing of all H. pylori-related diseases. In Lebanon, the prevalence of H. pylori is not well documented, especially in healthy subjects. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 healthy Lebanese volunteers, including both children and adults. Interestingly, a significant correlation was found between H. pylori infection and sheesha smoking. These findings highlight the need for the development of preventive approaches and strategic indications for the appropriate management of H. pylori infections in Tripoli, North Lebanon. ABSTRACT: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection occurs among half of the general population worldwide, with high geographic variability. Even though H. pylori is the leading cause of several gastric diseases, ranging from gastritis and peptic ulcers to gastric malignancies, such as gastric cancer and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, most of the infections remain asymptomatic. Early detection and eradication of H. pylori can definitely prevent severe long-term gastric diseases associated with H. pylori. In Lebanon, the prevalence of H. pylori is not well documented, especially in healthy subjects. The aim of this study is to assess H. pylori infections and the associated risk factors in Tripoli, North Lebanon. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 healthy Lebanese volunteers, including both children and adults. The H. pylori stool antigens were detected using the Premier Platinum HpSA test. The socio-demographic data, lifestyle characteristics, and gastrointestinal characteristics of all participants were analyzed. Out of the 300 tested volunteer subjects, 31% were found to be positive for H. pylori. A multivariate binary logistic regression analysis for factors associated with H. pylori infection revealed a significant association between H. pylori infection and gastrointestinal disturbances, the crowding index, and occupation. A significant statistical correlation was found between sheesha smoking (p = 0.001) and H. pylori infection. These findings highlight the need for the development of preventive approaches and strategic indications for the appropriate treatment of H. pylori infections in Tripoli, North Lebanon.