The Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in Northern Cyprus: A Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) prevalence in Northern Cyprus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From December 2012 to April 2018, we retrospectively enrolled 1226 patients aged over 18 with H. pylori positivity who presented at outpatient clinics with dyspeptic complaints. Age, gender and ethnicities were evaluated from the data of patients RESULTS: H. pylori positivity was detected in 286 of the 1226 patients (23.3%). The female positivity rate was 21% (147/693) and the male positivity rate was 26% (139/533). H. pylori positivity was found in 119 of 599 (19.8%) patients in the citizen of TRNC (The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) and 148 of 571 patients (25.6%) in citizen of TR (The Turkish Republic). CONCLUSION: H. pylori is a still common infection, although with decreasing frequency. Despite the fact that TRNC is an eastern Mediterranean country, the prevalence of H. pylori in TRNC is much lower than other Southeast Mediterranean countries.