A study of H. pylori infection and gastric mucosal tissue analysis among of the military personnel of special force

Abstract

Background: Every year 6-10% of the adult population in the world suffer from stomach and upper intestinal ulcers and 80% are caused by H.pylori. 50% of the population is infected with H.pylori. Due to the lifestyle of military personnel digestive system disorders are common and different from the general population. There are few researches in this field in Mongolia. Aim: Determine the incidence of H.pylori infection among military personnel of the special military forces command by rapid urease test and tissue analysis and to evaluate pathological changes in the gastric mucosa. Materials and Methods: The survey was using an analytical research design. Between April 30, 2021 and January 30, 2023, it was carried out with the support of the military units of the special force command. Study data were collected through upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, laboratory and tissue tests, and gastrointestinal risk factor questionnaires. H. pylori infection was determined by endoscopic urease test. Pathological changes in the gastric mucosa were evaluated by endoscopic examination of the upper digestive tract and tissue analysis at 5 positions of the stomach. Results: The study included 116 military servicemen aged 19–58 years, the mean age of the participants was 33±7.9 years, and 73.3% (n=85) were male. H.pylori infection was determined positively in 53.4% of the results of the urease test. According to the results of tissue analysis, H.pylori infection was diagnosed in 67.2% of all cases. Gastric atrophy was diagnosed in 44.9% of H.pylori infected cases, which was statistically significantly higher than that of uninfected participants. In addition, intestinal epithelial changes were found in 46.2% of H.pylori infected cases (p=0.021). Conclusion: Among the population H.pylori infection more common in military personnel as compared to the civilians. The prevalence of gastric epithelial changes is high among military personnel infected with H.pylori.