Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the validity of a rapid serology test for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection in our area. DESIGN: Longitudinal, prospective study. SETTING: Urban primary care centre. MEASUREMENTS: As reference tests for defining the presence/absence of Helicobacter pylori, histology and the urease gastric mucous membrane test (Jatrox(R) test) were used. Both tests can be either positive or negative, without intermediate values. RESULTS: 47 consecutive patients were included. Histology (confirmed with the urease test) showed infection in 38 cases (80.85% prevalence). The results of rapid serology (95% CI) were: sensitivity 0.66 (0.51-0.81), specificity 1 (1-1), positive predictive value 1 (1-1), and negative predictive value 0.41 (0.2-0-61). CONCLUSIONS: In a population with high prevalence of infection, a positive in the rapid serology test confirms infection. However, a negative does not discount infection, which significantly reduces the test's overall diagnostic value. This confirms in the primary care context the findings of hospital-based studies.