Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection: A meta-analysis

ObjectiveTo evaluate effects of diagnostic tests for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection.MethodsA meta-analysis was conducted in 22 identified studies through Chinese literature searching which were published after 1995 and evaluated diagnostic tests for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection.ResultsPolymerase chain reaction (PCR) had the best performance with diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of 6.7 (5.5–7.8), followed by 13C urea breath test and Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) quantitative serological test, with DOR being 6.4 (5.4–7.4) and 4.5 (3.8–5.2), respectively.ConclusionNon-invasive tests are the appropriate methods for screening H. pylori infection, whereas invasive tests are the best methods for ascertaining the suspected patients.