Helicobacter pylori infection in patients undergoing gastric bypass surgery for morbid obesity

Background: Studies suggest that the incidence of Helicobacter pylori infection in obese patients, including those undergoing gastric reduction surgery, may be increased. Methods: We examined the histologic findings at the time of surgery in a series of patients who were undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) for morbid obesity and compared these results with patients in our institution undergoing endoscopy. Results: Of 60 patients undergoing RYGBP, material for histologic examination was available in 56 cases, and in 40 cases gastric fundic mucosa from the anastomotic site was sampled at the time of surgery. Active chronic gastritis was present in 6 (15%), and chronic gastritis was present in 27 (68%). H. pylori was present in all 6 cases of active chronic gastritis and in 9 cases of chronic gastritis (total 38%). This incidence of H.pylori infection was higher than that found in the series of gastric biopsies (107/500, 21%, p = 0.03) and fundic biopsies (10/80, 13%, p = 0.003), but was not different when compared with age-matched gastric biopsies (44/177, 25%, p = 0.12). Conclusions: The incidence of H,pylori in patients undergoing RYGBP was higher than that found in all patients undergoing endoscopy and biopsy and than those undergoing fundic biopsies, but not higher when age-matched controls were considered.