Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The efficacy of updated health policy in improving the generalization of Helicobacter pylori screening and eradication in southwest China was assessed in a longitudinal analysis of multiple cross-sectional studies from an institution. METHODS: In the periods 2009-2010, 2013-2014, and 2019-2021, 8,365, 16,914, and 18,281 urban observations from health check-ups at West China Hospital were analyzed, respectively. The (14)C-urea or (13)C-urea breath test was consistently used for H. pylori detection. The protocol has been reported elsewhere (PROSPERO Registration number: CRD42019120764). RESULTS: The overall prevalence of H. pylori dramatically decreased from 53.1% to 30.7% over the past decade (OR = 0.39, 95% CI 0.37-0.41), with a similar decline in all sex-specific and age-specific subgroups. The age-specific prevalence consistently increased before 40 years of age and always peaked at 50-59 years. Longitudinal clearance increased along with aging, and prevalence dropped to 22.6%, 25.1%, and 23.6% in the 40-49, 50-59, and 60-69 years initial age groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: The generalization of H. pylori screening and eradication could greatly contribute to the control of H. pylori infection among urban health check-up populations and lower gastric cancer incidence.