What is the global prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)?

From the Guidelines

The global prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection is approximately 50% worldwide. This estimate is based on recent data from 2021, which suggests that H. pylori infection is one of the most common chronic bacterial infections worldwide, infecting approximately half of the global population 1.

Key Points

• The prevalence of H. pylori infection varies significantly by region, with developing countries generally having higher prevalence rates than developed nations.
• Infection rates are highest in Africa, South America, and parts of Asia, and lowest in Northern Europe, North America, and Australia.
• Socioeconomic factors, such as crowded living conditions, poor sanitation, and limited access to clean water, strongly influence the prevalence of H. pylori infection.
• H. pylori infection typically occurs in childhood and persists throughout life if untreated, causing chronic gastritis and increasing the risk of peptic ulcer disease, gastric cancer, and MALT lymphoma.

Regional Variations

• Developing countries: 70-90% prevalence rate
• Developed nations: 20-40% prevalence rate
• Africa, South America, and parts of Asia: highest infection rates
• Northern Europe, North America, and Australia: lowest infection rates

Clinical Implications

• Testing for H. pylori is recommended for patients with dyspepsia, peptic ulcer disease, or gastric cancer risk factors.
• Treatment typically involves a combination of two antibiotics plus a proton pump inhibitor for 10-14 days.
• Eradication of H. pylori is recommended in individuals who test positive, as it can reduce the risk of malignant complications and improve quality of life 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

The FDA drug label does not answer the question.

From the Research

Global Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori Infection

• The global prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection varies by region, with Africa having the highest pooled prevalence of 70.1% 2.
• Oceania has the lowest prevalence of H. pylori infection, at 24.4% 2.
• The prevalence of H. pylori infection also varies by country, ranging from 18.9% in Switzerland to 87.7% in Nigeria 2.
• Approximately 4.4 billion individuals worldwide are estimated to have H. pylori infection, based on regional prevalence estimates 2.

Regional Variations in H. pylori Prevalence

• The prevalence of H. pylori infection is higher in developing countries, where sanitation and living conditions may be poorer 2.
• In contrast, developed countries tend to have lower prevalence rates of H. pylori infection, likely due to improved sanitation and eradication methods 2.
• The variation in H. pylori prevalence among regions and countries highlights the need for customized strategies for global eradication 2.

Association with Peptic Ulcer Disease and Gastric Cancer

• H. pylori infection is a significant cause of peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer, with approximately 1 in 5 peptic ulcers associated with the infection 3.
• The combination of H. pylori infection and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use increases the risk of bleeding ulcers more than sixfold 3.
• Eradicating H. pylori in NSAID users reduces the likelihood of peptic ulcers by one-half 3.