Vol. 7, Issue 1, Part B (2025)

Background: South Asian physicians constitute a significant proportion of the U.S. healthcare workforce, yet their unique perspectives on managing Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections—prevalent in their countries of origin—remain underexplored within the broader context of American medical practice.
Purpose: To examine H. pylori-related gastrointestinal diseases through the lens of South Asian physicians practicing in the United States, analyzing the intersection of clinical knowledge, economic factors, ethical considerations, and sociopolitical influences that shape their approach to diagnosis and management.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed across multiple databases including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Library to identify peer-reviewed articles published between January 2015 and June 2025. The search strategy combined MeSH terms and keywords related to Helicobacter pylori, South Asian populations, immigrant physicians, gastrointestinal diseases, healthcare disparities, and economic burden. Boolean operators were used to refine the search, and reference lists of relevant articles were screened to identify additional studies. Due to heterogeneity in study designs, populations, and outcome measures, a narrative synthesis approach was employed. No meta-analysis was conducted due to variability in study methodologies and outcome reporting.

Results: H. pylori infection demonstrates high prevalence in South Asian populations, with complex gastrointestinal manifestations ranging from chronic gastritis to gastric malignancy. South Asian physicians in the U.S. navigate unique challenges including immigration-related economic pressures, structural barriers in healthcare systems, and the need to bridge cultural competency with evidence-based practice. Economic analyses reveal substantial healthcare costs associated with H. pylori-related diseases, while policy invisibility of South Asian communities creates additional barriers to optimal care delivery.
Conclusions: South Asian physicians bring valuable clinical experience with H. pylori management but face systemic challenges that may impact their practice patterns and patient outcomes. Addressing these multidimensional factors requires targeted policy interventions, enhanced cultural competency training, and recognition of the unique contributions and needs of immigrant physicians in the U.S. healthcare system.