Chinese Consensus Report on Family-Based <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> Infection Control and Management (2021 Edition).

Abstract

<i>Helicobacter pylori</i> infection is mostly a family-based infectious disease. To facilitate its prevention and management, a national consensus meeting was held to review current evidence and propose strategies for population-wide and family-based <i>H. pylori</i> infection control and management to reduce the related disease burden. Fifty-seven experts from 41 major universities and institutions in 20 provinces/regions of mainland China were invited to review evidence and modify statements using Delphi process and grading of recommendations assessment, development and evaluation system. The consensus level was defined as ≥80% for agreement on the proposed statements. Experts discussed and modified the original 23 statements on family-based <i>H. pylori</i> infection transmission, control and management, and reached consensus on 16 statements. The final report consists of three parts: (1) <i>H. pylori</i> infection and transmission among family members, (2) prevention and management of <i>H. pylori</i> infection in children and elderly people within households, and (3) strategies for prevention and management of <i>H. pylori</i> infection for family members. In addition to the 'test-and-treat' and 'screen-and-treat' strategies, this consensus also introduced a novel third 'family-based <i>H. pylori</i> infection control and management' strategy to prevent its intrafamilial transmission and development of related diseases. <i>H. pylori</i> is transmissible from person to person, and among family members. A family-based <i>H. pylori</i> prevention and eradication strategy would be a suitable approach to prevent its intra-familial transmission and related diseases. The notion and practice would be beneficial not only for Chinese residents but also valuable as a reference for other highly infected areas.