Fahimeh Safarnezhad Tameshkel - Gastrointestinal & Liver Disease Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohammad Hadi Karbalaie Niya - Dept. of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Zahedin Kheyri - Dept. of Internal Medicine, Amiralmomenin hospital, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
Davood Azizi - Dept. of Pathology, Amiralmomenin hospital, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran

Background and Objectives: Iran, as a developing country, is experiencing high burdens of Helicobacter pylori (Hp)-associated non-communicable diseases. Hp stool antigen test (HpSA) is widely used as an inexpensive and feasible noninvasive method to diagnose Hp infection, instead of invasive approaches. The current study aimed at evaluating the diagnostic and predictive values of HpSA test for Hp infection in Iranian patients with dyspepsia. Methods: The current cross sectional study was performed on 100 patients with dyspepsia. Gastric mucosal specimens were taken, processed, and examined according to the standard protocols. Simultaneously, stool samples were obtained and sent to laboratory for further analyses. Hp stool antigen titers were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Results: Stool antigen titers were not associated with gender (P-value=0.284), but correlated to age (r=0.213, P-value=0.034). Considering 0.385 as a cutoff point, the HpSA test had 80.4% sensitivity and 85.7% specificity. Conclusion: Based on cost-effectiveness of HpSA test, the current study findings corroborated the use of HpSA test to detect and follow-up patients with Hp infection, as an alternative method to detect Hp rather than invasive procedures.

Helicobacter pylori, Stool Antigen Test, Sensitivity, Specificity