Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess clinical factors associated with Helicobacter pylori positivity and to evaluate the incidence of gastric carcinoma in first-degree family members of infected patients. A total of 580 patients (mean age:38±17) with gastrointestinal complaints underwent C-14 urea breath test (UBT). Patients were grouped as: Group-1, untreated patients (n:384); and Group-2, patients who previously treated with eradication triple therapy (n:196). C-14 UBT was performed 1-2 months after the completion of eradication therapy. Associations of H pylori positivity with age, gender, ABO and Rhesus groups, smoking, dietary habits, and history of gastric cancer in first-degree family members were evaluated. The frequency of H pylori positivity was significantly higher in group-1 (58%) compared to group-2 (20%), p=0.001. There were no correlations between H pylori positivity and age, gender, ABO groups, Rhesus subgroups, smoking and dietary habits in both patient groups. The frequency of gastric cancer in family members was significantly higher in patients with H pylori infection among group-1, compared to infected patients among group-2 (56% vs. 28.6% respectively, p=0.03). We observed a significant association between H pylori positivity and the presence of gastric cancer in first-degree relatives of group-1 patients. Our results provide some confirmation of the presence of a link between gastric cancer development and H pylori. C-14 UBT is a sensitive, reliable and a widely recommended test for the detection of H pylori infection and recurrence. We suggest that detection and eradication of H pylori may contribute to a reduced risk of gastric cancer in the family members of infected patients.
Highlights
Helicobacter pylori infection is the most common bacterial infection worldwide (Correa et al, 2008; Kandulski et al, 2008)
Today it is widely accepted that H pylori is a cause of chronic gastritis, duodenitis and peptic ulcer disease, and plays role in the etiopathogenesis of gastric carcinoma (Veldhuyzen et al, 1994; Correa et al, 2007; 2008; Kandulski et al, 2008)
H pylori infection has been reported to be responsible from several extra gastric pathologies such as hematological, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, lung, hepatobiliary, intestinal, neurological diseases (Bohr et al, 2007)
Summary
Helicobacter pylori infection is the most common bacterial infection worldwide (Correa et al, 2008; Kandulski et al, 2008). The prevalence of H pylori may vary considerably with age, socioeconomic status, gender, ABO blood groups and smoking (Graham et al, 1991; Sitas et al, 1991). Several studies have shown an increased risk of developing gastric cancer in relatives of patients with the infection (Brenner et al, 2000; Queiroz et al, 2012). More accentuated in wealthy societies, a steady decrease in the prevalence of H pylori infection and the incidence of gastric cancer has been observed in most populations in recent decades (Correa et al, 2008). On. The relationship between H pylori positivity and the basis of these evidences, Management of Helicobacter clinical factors such as gender, blood groups, smoking pylori infection-The Maastricht IV/Florence Consensus and dietary habits, history of gastric cancer in family. The frequency of H pylori positivity was 58% (223/384) in untreated patients (group 1), and
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