Prevalence of Histologically Positive Helicobacter pylori Infection Among Patients Who Underwent Upper GI Endoscopy at the University Hospital Limerick in 2023

Background: Data on Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) prevalence in Ireland are limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of histologically positive H. pylori infection among patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at University Hospital Limerick (UHL), Ireland. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at UHL between January and December 2023. Adult patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with gastric biopsy were included. Histopathology was the primary diagnostic method, with the Campylobacter-like organism (CLO) rapid urease test in a subset. Demographics, clinical indications, and endoscopic findings were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test. Results: Of 1023 patients who underwent endoscopy with gastric biopsies, 775 were tested histologically, and 103 (13.29%) were positive for H. pylori. Prevalence increased with age, peaking in the 46-55-year group. No significant gender difference was observed (13.9% males vs. 12.6% females, p = 0.295). Gastritis (59.2%) was the predominant endoscopic finding, and CLO test results correlated significantly with histopathology (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The 13.2% prevalence aligns with rates in other developed settings but remains below global averages. The detailed geographical breakdown, particularly the predominance of cases from Co. Limerick, provides valuable insight into the local epidemiological landscape. The results highlight regional distribution patterns in Ireland and support the continued combined use of histology and rapid urease testing for accurate diagnosis.