Factors Associated with Helicobacter Pylori Infection, Results from a Developing Country-Pakistan

Background: It is known that blood group antigens are related to the development of peptic ulcer andgastric carcinoma. Infections due to H. pylori are most widespread among the developing regions due to poorstandard of public health. This study sought to determine the association of H. pylori with ABO blood groups,age, gender, and smoking status among inpatients at a public sector hospital in Karachi. Materials and
Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted at endoscopy suite at a public sector hospital in Karachi in the year 2011.All the symptomatic patients coming for upper GIT endoscopy were included in this study.
Results: Biopsy forhistopathology was taken from 93 patients, with an age range from 15-65 years. Age group of 15 to 20 years wasfound to be associated with H. pylori infection but without significance (p-value 0.83). In all, 36 (38.7%) turnedout to be H. pylori positive with a significant male preponderance (p=0.04). Distribution of ABO blood groups inH. pylori positive group were A=31.4%, B=15.4%, AB=25.0% and O=53.7%, with a statistically significant linkfor blood group O (p=0.05) . Rhesus factor was also compared but significant relationship was evident (p-value0.73).
Conclusions: This study demonstrated that H. pylori infection can be related to ABO blood group, middleage persons and male gender. People of blood group O are more prone to develop infection related gastritis,ulcers, and even perforations, so they should be more cautious against transmission of the bacterium.