The association of Helicobacter pylori with gastric cancer and preneoplastic gastric lesions in Chiapas, Mexico

Cancer. 1993 Jan 15;71(2):297-301. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(19930115)71:2<297::aid-cncr2820710205>3.0.co;2-9.

Abstract

Background: Helicobacter pylori recently was identified as a risk factor for gastric cancer. Its association with preneoplastic conditions of the stomach, however, is undocumented.

Methods: Gastric biopsy specimens from 245 symptomatic patients were examined for neoplastic and preneoplastic lesions and for gastric H. pylori infection. The sera of 183 subjects were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for anti-H. pylori immunoglobulin G.

Results: Histologic H. pylori infection, usually accompanied by acute and chronic gastritis, was found in 85.7% of patients. There was a strong association between H. pylori in the tissue and atrophy (relative risk, 15.0; 95% confidence interval, 4.2-56.6), intestinal metaplasia (relative risk, 5.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.9-16.8), and dysplasia or cancer (relative risk, 4.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-14.8). The ELISA was 93.2% sensitive and 57.1% specific for histologic infection with a positive predictive value of 96.1%. The overall seroprevalence rate was 86.1%, with no significant difference in rates between patients with cancer precursors and those with normal stomachs.

Conclusions: In this high-risk population, precursor lesions for adenocarcinoma were associated universally with H. pylori infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / analysis
  • Helicobacter Infections / complications*
  • Helicobacter Infections / epidemiology
  • Helicobacter pylori* / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / analysis
  • Mexico / epidemiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Precancerous Conditions / epidemiology
  • Precancerous Conditions / etiology*
  • Precancerous Conditions / pathology
  • Stomach Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Stomach Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Immunoglobulin G