Polymerase chain reaction: A sensitive method for detecting Helicobacter pylori infection in bleeding peptic ulcers

Table 1 Baseline characteristics of patients with bleeding peptic ulcers (n, %)

Number of patients(n= 55)
Age (mean±SD)	62.2 (14.5)
Sex
Male	37 (67)
Female	18 (33)
Smoking	13 (24)
Alcohol consumption	4 (7)
Coffee consumption	5 (9)
Ingestion of tea	18 (33)
Ingestion of NSAID1	26 (47)
Sites of ulcer
Stomach	19 (35)
Duodenum	13 (24)
Stomach and duodenum	23 (42)
Ulcer lesions
Bleeding visible vessel	2 (4)
Non-bleeding visible vessel	3 (6)
Adherent clot	15 (27)
Red or black spot	21 (38)
Clean base	14 (26)

¹NSAID: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Table 2 Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of various tests for diagnosis of H pylori infection in bleeding peptic ulcers (n = 55) [%(95%CI)]

	Sensitivity	Specificity	Accuracy	PPV	NPV
RUT	66 (49 – 82)b	95 (84 – 100)	76 (64 – 88)b	96 (87 – 100)	61 (43 – 79)a
Histology	43 (26 – 60)d	95 (84 – 100)	62 (48 – 75)d	100	48 (31 – 64)b
Culture	37 (20 – 54)d	100	60 (46 – 73)d	100	48 (32 – 63)b
PCR	91 (82 – 100)	100	95 (88 – 100)	100	87 (72 – 100)
Serology	94 (86 – 100)	65 (42 – 88)b	84 (73 – 93)	83 (70 – 95)a	87 (67 – 100)
UBT	94 (86 – 100)	85 (68 – 100)	91 (83 – 98)	92 (82 – 100)	90 (74 – 100)

^aP < 0.05 vs PCR;

^bP < 0.01 vs PCR;

^dP < 0.001 vs PCR.