The occupational risk of Helicobacter pylori infection: a systematic review

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2018

Authors

Kheyre, H (Author) Other; Morais, S (Author) Other; Ferro, A (Author) Other; Costa, AR (Author) Other; Norton, P (Author) Other; Lunet N (Author) FMUP; peleteiro, b (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

Vol. 91

Pages: 657-674

ISSN: 0340-0131

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 21 Citations

Scopus - 28 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00P-2FK

DOI: 10.1007/s00420-018-1315-6

Abstract (EN): The aim of this systematic review was to describe the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in specific occupational groups and to compare them with the general population. We searched PubMedA (R) to identify original studies reporting the prevalence of H. pylori infection in occupational groups. The differences between occupational groups and the general population were analyzed taking into account the direction and statistical significance of the differences observed when comparing each occupational group with a reference group (either recruited in the same study or using an external comparator). A total of 98 studies addressing the prevalence of H. pylori infection in occupational groups were included in the systematic review. Overall, health professionals showed a significantly higher prevalence of H. pylori infection than the general population, especially among those working at gastrointestinal units. Similar results were found in subjects involved in agricultural, forestry and fishery, as well as in sewage workers, miners, and workers at institutions for the intellectually disabled, although differences were less pronounced. Our results show an occupational risk of H. pylori infection supporting the role of oral-oral, fecal-oral, and zoonotic transmission. Studies comparing specific occupational groups with adequate comparators may contribute to better identify groups at higher risk of infection. The recognition of this infection as an occupational disease would result in early detection and treatment, as well as prevention and control of its transmission in workplaces.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 18