Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori Infection in India: A Systematic Re-view and Meta-Analysis

This study estimated the prevalence of H. pylori infection in India among adults and children with and without gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. This meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with the 2020 PRISMA guidelines and registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024597401). Scientific databases (e.g., MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Google Scholar) were searched to identify English-language articles from India presenting data on H. pylori prevalence. The quality of the included studies was assessed, followed by the pooling of prevalence data using a random effects model with a 95% confidence interval. The 52 studies included in the analyses were conducted in 15 different states in India, with the majority originating from the state of Uttar Pradesh (23/52). The pooled prevalence of H. pylori among people with GI diseases was 54% (95% CI: 48% - 60%, n=12159), compared to 61% (95% CI: 52% - 69%, n=1,861) among people with no clinically diagnosed GI conditions. The pooled prevalence estimates among children with and without GI diseases were 34% (95% CI: 5% - 68%, n=458) and 49% (95% CI: 37% - 60%, n=718), respectively. Among different regions, the highest prevalence was observed in the state of Rajasthan (70%), while the lowest prevalence was in Gujarat (9%). Since H. pylori infection can lead to many other clinical complications, government initiatives and policies are needed to prevent the spread of the H. Pylori pathogen in India.