*2.2. Study Participants*

Participants were recruited if they were 18 years or above, Bahraini, following treatment in GE unit in KHUH, and had done *H. pylori* testing within the previous 18 months with either upper GI tract endoscopy biopsy testing or UBT, or both. Patients with updated

medical records within the past 18 months were eligible. Patients were excluded if they had a history and/or documentation of *H. pylori* eradication therapy prior to *H. pylori* testing, had a previous diagnosis of cancer, inflammatory diseases such as coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or certain food allergies, or had a history of gastric or intestinal surgery or previous gastric perforation or hemorrhage. Patients who were tested for *H. pylori* status by methods other than upper GI tract endoscopy biopsy testing or UBT were not included. Women who were pregnant at the time of the study or previously pregnant within the past 18 months were excluded since their dietary habits might be changed during pregnancy.
