@article {Bode615, author = {G Bode and H Brenner and G Adler and D Rothenbacher}, title = {Helicobacter pylori infection, intake of analgesics or anti-inflammatory medication, and personal factors in relation to dyspeptic symptoms in patients of a general practitioner.}, volume = {50}, number = {457}, pages = {615--619}, year = {2000}, publisher = {Royal College of General Practitioners}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Several studies have assessed the relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and dyspeptic symptoms in highly selected patient populations and they have yielded inconsistent results. AIM: To investigate the relationship between current H. pylori infection, intake of analgesics or anti-inflammatory medication, and personal factors with dyspeptic symptoms in a large, unselected patient population of a general practitioner (GP). METHOD: Consecutive patients of a GP were invited to participate in a cross-sectional study regardless of the reason for their visit. Active infection with H. pylori was measured using the 13C-urea breath test (13C-UBT). A standardised questionnaire covering demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle factors, and dyspeptic symptoms was completed by the patients. The number and severity of dyspeptic symptoms were quantified using a symptom score. RESULTS: Five hundred and one out of 531 eligible patients returned their questionnaires; a response rate of 94.4\%. The prevalence of H. pylori infection, as indicated by a positive 13C-UBT, was 21.1\% and was unrelated to dyspeptic symptoms. After adjustment for potential confounders by multiple logistic regression, a symptom score in the upper quartile of the symptom score distribution was significantly associated with female sex (odds ratio [OR] = 1.8, 95\% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1 to 3.0) and intake of analgesics or anti-inflammatory drugs other than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (OR = 2.3, 95\% CI = 1.1 to 4.7). Older age (60 to 79 years) was associated with fewer symptoms (OR = 0.4, 95\% CI = 0.2 to 0.9) when compared with the youngest age group (15 to 39 years). CONCLUSION: Female sex, younger age, and intake of analgesics or anti-inflammatory drugs other than NSAIDs, but not H. pylori infection, were independently associated with dyspeptic symptoms in this population.}, issn = {0960-1643}, URL = {https://bjgp.org/content/50/457/615}, eprint = {https://bjgp.org/content/50/457/615.full.pdf}, journal = {British Journal of General Practice} }