[Helicobacter pylori and gastroduodenal pathology in the Republic of Panama]

129 patients, Panamanians and North Americans, with chronic dyspepsia, were prospectively studied regarding infection by H. pylori and the type of gastroduodenal pathology diagnosed by endoscopy and histology. The rapid urea split test was compared with the culture. The percentage of patients infected by H. pylori increased with age. Patients under 30, 37%; 31 to 40, 61%; 41 to 76, 75%. H. pylori was found in 70% of the Panamanians and 54% of the americans. H. pylori infected 81%, 75%, 54% and 29% of the patients with duodenal ulcer, chronic gastritis, duodenitis, and patients with normal endoscopy and histology, respectively. The rapid urea split test had a positive predictive value of 98%. The results were discussed and the literature reviewed.