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Occupational Medicine Advance Access originally published online on January 3, 2006
Occupational Medicine 2006 56(2):122-128; doi:10.1093/occmed/kqj013
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© The Author 2006. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Occupational Medicine. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

Are endoscopy nurses at risk of infection with Helicobacter pylori from their work?

P. A. Noone1, E. R. Waclawski2 and A. D. Watt3

1 Occupational Health Department, Health Service Executive, Kells Road, Ardee, County Louth, Ireland
2 Argyll & Clyde Occupational Health Service, Dykebar Hospital, Grahamstown Road, Paisely PA2 7DE, UK
3 Greater Glasgow Primary Care Trust, Occupational Health Service, William Street Clinic, Glasgow G3 8HS, UK

Background In response to studies suggesting risk of occupational transmission of Helicobacter pylori (HP) to endoscopy staff, this cross-sectional study of seroprevalence to HP in gastroscopy nurses working in West of Scotland hospitals (an area of high endemicity of HP infection) was performed to determine if they were at excess risk relative to peers working in surgical specialities but without gastroscopy exposure. The study aimed to fulfil employer's duties to carry out a suitable risk assessment required by health and safety legislation.

Method This cross-sectional study compares the seroprevalence of HP in gastroscopy nurses and comparators drawn from orthopaedic and trauma units in 10 hospitals during 1998. A directly administered questionnaire collated exposure information on occupational and non-occupational risk factors for infection. Venepuncture was performed for latex agglutination test for IgG to HP. Confounding by socio-economic factors was controlled for by multivariate analysis.

Results Of the 222 participants, 74 were endoscopy staff (84% response) and 148 (59%) were comparators. Of these, 32.4% of gastroscopy and 33% of comparators were seropositive for HP (OR 0.97, P > 0.9, 95% CI 0.5–1.8). No association was found between gastroscopy exposure variables (frequency, years) or exposure to all endoscopy procedures and HP. Significant associations were found for age, childhood deprivation and greater number of siblings.

Conclusion No excess HP infection was found in gastroscopy nurses. Duties imposed by the health and safety legislation appear discharged by normal infection control procedures. Socio-economic factors are key determinants of HP status.

Keywords      Gastrointestinal endoscopy staff; HP; occupational infection

Correspondence to: P. A. Noone, Occupational Health Department, Health Service Executive, Kells Road, Ardee, County Louth, Ireland; e-mail: noone.p{at}maile.HSE.ie


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