Diagnostic Accuracy of Helicobacter Stool Antigen in Dyspeptic Patients before Eradication Therapy

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to assess and compare the diagnostic accuracy of Helicobacter pylori stool antigen (HpSA) test with three other invasive and non-invasive diagnostic methods.Materials and MethodsA total of Fifty-two dyspeptic patients were included. None of the patients had previous eradication therapy for Helicobacter pylori. Endoscopic biopsy samples were obtained for histology examination and Rapid Urease Test (RUT). Urea Breath Test (UBT) and HpSA were also performed. Patients were considered Helicobacter pylori positive when 2 of 3 tests (histology examination, RUT and UBT) were positive (gold standard). Diagnostic accuracy of HpSA was assessed performing a Receiver Operating Curve (ROC) analysis. ResultsTwenty-threeWere men and 29Were women, with a mean age of 42.3 years of the Palients.The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection was 67.3%. ROC curve analysis was showed a significant area under curve of 94.6% (p=0.0001). Cut-off value was estimated to be 0.1. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of HpSA was 91.4%, 94.1%, 97% and 84%, respectively. HpSA level significantly increased with increasing in bacterial load.ConclusionHpSA was proved to be a highly accurate, simple and non-invasive test for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection before treatment in dyspeptic patients.