How Relevant Is This to My Practice?

234 1Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Changi General Hospital, 2Central 24-HR Clinic Group, Singapore Correspondence: Adj A/Prof Tiing Leong Ang, Chief and Senior Consultant, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Changi General Hospital, 2 Simei Street 3, Singapore 529889. [email protected] HOW RELEVANT IS THIS TO MY PRACTICE? Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a common chronic bacterial infection that is present in over 50% of the world’s population, although its prevalence has been gradually declining in the AsiaPacific region.(1) In Singapore, the seroprevalence rate is 31%.(2) The majority of people infected with H. pylori never experience any symptoms or complications. However, the increasing use of H. pylori serology by family physicians during health screening prompts further investigation for H. pylori. Symptoms include dyspepsia, bloating, and nausea or vomiting. Colonisation with H. pylori is a major risk factor for peptic ulcer disease, as well as gastric malignancies such as gastric adenocarcinoma and lymphoma involving mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue.(3) Successful eradication is essential for primary and secondary prevention of peptic ulcer disease and gastric malignancy.(4,5)