BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown that the knowledge about coeliac disease (CD) is not satisfactory among healthcare professionals (HCP). The aim of our study was to assess the knowledge of HCPs about CD in the Danube region. METHODS: HCPs from 8 countries in the Danube region were asked to complete the web-based questionnaire about CD. Scores of HCPs were compared according to their speciality, work experience and country of residence. The results were compared with the results of a similar study conducted in Central Europe within the Focus IN CD project in 2016. RESULTS: Questionnaire was completed by 799 HCPs from Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia. Mean score achieved by HCPs was 52.2%. Paediatric gastroenterologists scored the highest (75.3%). Comparing the data with the study conducted in Central Europe in 2016, we found a significant rise (p < 0.001) in the knowledge of paediatric gastroenterologists. Also, HCPs who previously took part in the Focus IN CD project, achieved higher score (61.1% vs. 50.8%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The knowledge about CD among HCPs in Danube region is not satisfactory. There has been a significant increase in the knowledge of paediatric gastroenterologists, showing the benefit of various awareness raising activities that were carried out recently.

• MeSH
• Celiac Disease * MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
• Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice * MeSH
• Health Personnel * standards   statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Europe MeSH

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori may be found during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGE) performed to diagnose celiac disease (CeD), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). We aimed to describe the frequency of H. pylori in children undergoing UGE for CeD, IBD, and EoE and the number of children receiving eradication treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective multicenter study from 14 countries included pediatric patients diagnosed with CeD, IBD, and EoE between January 2019 and December 2021. DATA COLLECTED: age, gender, hematologic parameters, endoscopic, histologic, and H. pylori culture results, and information on eradication treatment. RESULTS: H. pylori was identified in 349/3890 (9%) children [167 (48%) male, median 12 years (interquartile range 8.1-14.6)]. H. pylori was present in 10% (173/1733) CeD, 8.5% (110/1292) IBD and 7.6% (66/865) EoE patients (p = NS). The prevalence differed significantly between Europe (Eastern 5.2% (28/536), Southern 3.8% (78/2032), Western 5.6% (28/513)) and the Middle East 26.6% (215/809) [odds ratio (OR) 7.96 95% confidence interval (CI) (6.31-10.1) p < 0.0001]. Eradication treatment was prescribed in 131/349 (37.5%) patients, 34.6% CeD, 35.8% IBD, and 56.1% EoE. Predictors for recommending treatment included erosions/ulcers [OR 6.45 95% CI 3.62-11.47, p < 0.0001] and nodular gastritis [OR 2.25 95% CI 1.33-3.81, p 0.003]. Treatment rates were higher in centers with a low H. pylori prevalence (<20%) [OR 3.36 95% CI 1.47-7.66 p 0.004]. CONCLUSIONS: Identifying H. pylori incidentally during UGE performed for the most common gastrointestinal diseases varies significantly among regions but not among diseases. The indications for recommending treatment are not well defined, and less than 40% of children received treatment.

• MeSH
• Celiac Disease * diagnosis   epidemiology   MeSH
• Child MeSH
• Eosinophilic Esophagitis * epidemiology   diagnosis   MeSH
• Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal MeSH
• Helicobacter pylori * isolation & purification   MeSH
• Inflammatory Bowel Diseases * epidemiology   diagnosis   microbiology   MeSH
• Helicobacter Infections * diagnosis   epidemiology   drug therapy   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Child, Preschool MeSH
• Prevalence MeSH
• Retrospective Studies MeSH
• Check Tag
• Child MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Child, Preschool MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Multicenter Study MeSH
• Geographicals
• Europe MeSH