Systematic review with meta‐analysis: the global recurrence rate of Helicobacter pylori

• Published in: Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics Vol. 46; no. 9; pp. 773 - 779
• Main Authors: Hu, Y., Wan, J.‐H., Li, X.‐Y., Zhu, Y., Graham, D. Y., Lu, N.‐H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01-11-2017
• Subjects: Developing countries; Eradication; Helicobacter pylori; LDCs; Meta-analysis; Pathogens; Socioeconomics
• ISSN: 0269-2813; 1365-2036
• DOI: 10.1111/apt.14319

Summary
Background
Up‐to‐date information regarding the recurrence rate of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) after eradication therapy is not available.
Aim
To evaluate the global recurrence rate following H. pylori eradication therapy and confirm its association with socioeconomic and sanitary conditions.
Methods
A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane library was performed to identify potentially relevant publications using the following keywords: “Helicobacter pylori” or “H. pylori” or “Hp” and “recurrence” or “recrudescence” or “reinfection” or “recurrent” or “recurred” or “re‐infect*” or “relapse*.”
Results
A total of 132 studies (53 934 patient‐years) were analysed. Each study was weighted according to the duration of patient‐years. The global annual recurrence, reinfection and recrudescence rate of H. pylori were 4.3% (95% CI, 4‐5), 3.1% (95% CI, 2‐5) and 2.2% (95% CI, 1‐3), respectively. The H. pylori recurrence rate was inversely related to the human development index (HDI) (ie, 3.1% [95% CI, 2‐4], 6.2% [95% CI, 4‐8] and 10.9% [95% CI, 6‐18] in countries with a very high, high and medium or low HDI) (P <.01) and directly related to H. pylori prevalence (10.9% [95% CI, 7‐16], 3.7% [95% CI, 3‐5], 3.4% [95% CI, 2‐5] and 1.6% [95% CI, 0.5‐3] in countries with a very high, high, medium or low local H. pylori prevalence) (P <.01). Global recurrence rates remained relatively stable between 1990s, 2000s and 2010s but varied across different regions (P <.05).
Conclusions
H. pylori recurrence remains a problem closely associated with socioeconomic and sanitary conditions. Methods to reduce recurrence in developing countries are needed.
Linked ContentThis article is linked to Willington and Gearry, and Roblin et al papers. To view these papers visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14370 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14385.