OBJECTIVE: To understand the epidemiologic features and etiology of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in China so as to provide evidence for the development of preventive measures on H. pylori infection and related diseases.METHODS: Meta-analysis was used to evaluate the data extracted from 1990 - 2002 published papers on the epidemiology of H. pylori infection in China.RESULTS: The average infection rate of H. pylori infection in China was 58.07%, with 50% in 10 to 20 year-olds. Significant intrafamilial clustering was observed. H. pylori infection was a risk factor to develop gastrointestinal disease.CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori infections in Chinese were common and extensively distributed, which might due to close contact between family members.
Adolescent Adult