A Quantitative Analysis of Symptoms of Non-Ulcer Dyspepsia as Related to Age, Pathology, andHelicobacterInfection

Abstract

Background: Non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) has been attributed to gastritis and Helicobacter infection. The Sydney classification enables dyspepsia symptoms to be assessed quantitatively in relation to Helicobacter infection and topographic pathology in different gastric compartments. Methods: In this study of 348 patients with NUD we studied the unconfounded effects of age, pathology, and Helicobacter. Endoscopic findings, dyspeptic symptoms, and age were recorded prospectively. Multiple logistic regression was used to evaluate the independent effects of age, pathology, and Helicobacter. Results: Ulcer-like pain was negatively related to age (odds ratio = 0.75/10 years; P < 0.001). A high density of Helicobacter at the antrum but not elsewhere in the stomach was positively related to ulcer-like pain (odds ratio = 3.38; P < 0.002). Adjusted far age, none of the endoscopic (P > 0.19) and histopathology findings (P > 0.09) played an important role in NUD. Conclusion: Age was the most important determinant of dyspeptic symptoms, but not pathology or Helicobacter.