Indigenous Greenlanders have a higher sero-prevalence of IgG antibodies to Helicobacter pylori than Danes

Int J Circumpolar Health. 2003 Mar;62(1):54-60. doi: 10.3402/ijch.v62i1.17528.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the sero-prevalence of IgG antibodies to Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in Greenlanders and compare with the sero-prevalence in Caucasian Danes.

Methods: 71 randomly recruited indigenous Greenlanders (29 men) with a median age of 39 years (range 22-76), living in the capital, Nuuk, and the town of Ilulissat, and participating in a population survey carried out in 1993-1994. The results were compared with those obtained in a 1983-1984 population survey in Copenhagen County, comprising 2794 Caucasian Danes (1425 men) with a median age of 41 years (range 30-60). Serum IgG antibody levels to H. pylori were determined by an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 1995 and categorised as negative, borderline (equivocal), or positive.

Results: Greenlanders: 48.3% of men and 45.2% of women had positive serum IgG antibody levels to H. pylori In the entire series, 46.5% had positive IgG antibody levels, 25.4% displayed borderline antibody levels and 28.2% had negative antibody levels. There were no age, or gender differences concerning the prevalences of the three H. pylori IgG antibody subgroups. Danes: 25.6% of men, and of women, had positive IgG antibody levels against H. pylori. In the entire series, 25.6% had positive IgG antibody levels, 19.0% displayed borderline antibody levels and 55.4% had negative antibody levels. There was no gender difference concerning the sero-prevalence of IgG antibodies, but the sero-prevalence increased significantly with age. The prevalence of positive serum IgG antibodies against H. pylori was markedly higher in Greenlanders than in Danes (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion: Indigenous Greenlanders have a significantly higher infection rate with H. pylori than Danes. The results suggest that Greenlanders become infected with H. pylori early in life.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood*
  • Denmark / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Greenland / epidemiology
  • Helicobacter Infections / epidemiology*
  • Helicobacter Infections / immunology*
  • Helicobacter pylori / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Sex Distribution
  • White People

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Immunoglobulin G