Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with dyspepsia: Results of a survey of family physicians in Vinnytsia region, Ukraine

Abstract

Objective: Dyspepsia and H. pylori infection are two of the most common digestive problems among patients in primary care. The study aimed to assess the knowledge of general practitioners in Ukraine regarding current recommendations for diagnosing H. pylori infection. Patients and Methods: We surveyed 132 primary care physicians from medical institutions in Vinnytsia region, Ukraine, regarding the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with dyspeptic complaints. Results: The rating of methods for primary diagnosis of H. pylori infection among the surveyed doctors was: detection of H. pylori antigen in faeces (51.5%), urea breath test (50%), rapid urease test during endoscopy (38.6%), and serological methods (18.9%). 36.4% would prescribe additional examinations after confirming H. pylori, but only 4.2% would determine antibiotic sensitivity. 84.9% recommend eradication control; of these, 53% do it after 4 weeks, 31% after 6 weeks, 13% after 2 weeks, and 3% believe the timing is irrelevant. To monitor eradication effectiveness, doctors used faecal antigen testing (44.7%), urea breath test (28.8%), and rapid urease test during endoscopy (15.2%). Additionally, 21.2% selected serological methods. In cases of recurrent complaints after successful eradication, 42% refer patients to a gastroenterologist, 40% conduct additional examinations, 13% repeat eradication therapy, 3% prescribe symptomatic treatment, and 2% believe no further examination is needed. Conclusions: Family doctors use appropriate diagnostic tests for initial H. pylori detection, although invasive methods are sometimes overused. Not all doctors are aware of the proper timing for eradication control, and one in five considers serological tests acceptable for this purpose.