

@article {14783,
	title = {Epidemiology of helicobacter pylori in {Bhutan}: {The} role of environment and geographic location},
	journal = {Helicobacter},
	volume = {19},
	number = {1},
	year = {2014},
	pages = {69{\textendash}73},
	abstract = {{BACKGROUND: Bhutan is small mountainous country bordering India and China and consists of four geographic regions, west, east, central, and south. The epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori infection and risk factors associated with in Bhutan are not previously studied. The World Health Organization reported the incidence of stomach cancer to be very high in Bhutan.\${\textbackslash}textbackslashbackslash\$n\${\textbackslash}textbackslashbackslash\$nAIM: We conducted a cross-sectional study to determine the seroepidemiologic pattern of H. pylori among Bhutanese from the four regions with emphasis on water source and household sanitation.\${\textbackslash}textbackslashbackslash\$n\${\textbackslash}textbackslashbackslash\$nMETHODS: Between June and November 2012, blood samples from patients with complaints of dyspepsia were collected after obtaining an informed consent. Demographic information, occupation, family size living in the same household, consumption of betel nut, and aspects of household environment including type of latrines, source of drinking water were collected. All serum samples were tested for H. pylori immunoglobulin G (IgG) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using MAGIWELL ELISA kit from United Biotech, USA.\${\textbackslash}textbackslashbackslash\$n\${\textbackslash}textbackslashbackslash\$nRESULTS: Two hundred and forty-four patients between 17 and 75 years of age participated in the study, of them, 102 were men, and the mean age was 38 ({\textpm}14.2) years. The overall prevalence of H. pylori among patients was 86\% with no difference between men and women (90 vs 83\%, respectively},
	keywords = {Bhutan, epidemiology, helicobacter pylori},
	issn = {10834389},
	doi = {10.1111/hel.12088},
	author = {Dorji, Dorji and Dendup, Tashi and Malaty, Hoda M. and Wangchuk, Kinley and Yangzom, Deki and Richter, James M.}
}
