AGE AND GENDER AS RISK FACTORS IN HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTIONS: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY
Vlera JASHARI, Mije REÇI, Luzana SHABANI, Mimoza BAFQARI-BAKIJI, Kajdafe ADEMI
Abstract
Helicobacter pylori infection remains widespread globally, affecting an estimated 44.3% of the world population. Although previous studies have linked infection prevalence with factors such as age, gender, and socioeconomic conditions, the primary risk factors vary significantly between regions. This study aimed to investigate the potential influence of age and gender on H. pylori infection rates within a sample from the Polog Region. A total of 225 outpatients, both male and female, were enrolled. Serum IgG levels were measured using a solid-phase chemiluminescent immunometric assay. Findings revealed a notably high infection rate, with roughly one-quarter of participants testing positive. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant positive association between age and IgG test positivity (coefficient = 0.017, p = 0.027), indicating an increased likelihood of infection among older individuals. While gender alone did not show a significant effect, models incorporating both age and gender yielded improved predictive performance. Nonetheless, the inclusion of additional variables could further enhance risk assessment accuracy.
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