The aim of the study: Many papers from West Europe and USA declare a decreasing incidence of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients suffering from peptic ulcer disease. Simultaneously, the relationship between Helicobacter infection and esophageal reflux disease has been studied. It seems the prevalence H. pylori in esophageal reflux disease patients are lower in comparison with other disease. The aim of our retrospective study is to identify H. pylori infection in patients who undergone gastroscopy in our department during year 2000. Methods: All gastroscopies in our department during year 2000 were evaluated. The prevalence of H. pylori infection according to endoscopy diagnosis was assessed. In all patients the infection H. pylori was detected by rapid urease test (1 biopsy from antrum and 1 biopsy from gastric body). In some patients the diagnosis of infection was proved by histology examination. Results: 1784 gastroscopies in 1 321 patients in year 2000 was carried out. In 242 patients H. pylori infection was proved, 571 patients was negative and 508 patients were not tested (mostly patients with liver cirrhosis and esophageal varices). Total prevalence of H. pylori infection in examined patients was 29.8%. Prevalence of H. pylori infection in various endoscopic findings was as follows: normal finding (n = 259): 16.5%; duodenal ulcer (n = 87): 48.3%; stomach ulcer (n = 85): 51%; reflux esophagitis (n = 148): 26.4%; Barret's esophagus (n = 31): 11.8%; stomach adenocarcinoma (n = 21): 11.1%. Among 241 H. pylori positive patients was 14% younger than 30 years, 31% in a group between 31-50 years and 55% were patients older than 50 years. Conclusion: Our retrospective study suggests, according to results from West Europe and USA, the decreasing tendency of H. pylori prevalence in peptic ulcer patients. We did not prove lower H. pylori infection prevalence in reflux esophagitis patients but Barrett's esophagus. A prospective study following the importance of present state of H. pylori infection in peptic ulcer disease patients should be done in Middle and East Europe

        Key words: Helicobacter pylori — duodenal ulcer — stomach ulcer — reflux esophagitis — prevalence