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Objective: Helicobacter pylori infection is a well-established risk factor for gastric cancer, which is more common in developing countries where poor sanitation and domestic overcrowding are common. We tried to analyze the impact of the pandemic on Helicobacter pylori infection during COVID 19 related curfew and stay-at-home order. Material and Methods: Between 1-30 June 2020 (during stay-at-home order), a total of 172 dyspeptic patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal system endoscopy at our institution following stay-at-home order during COVID pandemic were included in this study along with a control group covering 192 dyspeptic patients who underwent endoscopy between 1-20 June 2019. Results: When we analyzed gastric biopsy specimens, those who faced stay-at-home order had similar rates of intestinal metaplasia (22% versus 29%; p=0.15) and atrophic gastritis (24% versus 29%; p= 0.396) compared to recent year's data. On the other hand, the rate of H.pylori infection was higher compared to pre-COVID period (59% vs. 46%, p |
