54
Views
61
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Research Article

Helicobacter pylori Infection Is a Major Risk Factor for Gastric Carcinoma in Young Patients

Pages 255-259 | Published online: 08 Jul 2009
 

Abstract

Background: Helicobacter pylori has been established as a risk factor for gastric carcinoma (GCa). Since before the discovery of H. pylori, atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia have been linked to GCa, especially the intestinal-type tumor. The prevalence of H. pylori infection and atrophic gastritis increase with age. Thus, analysis of H. pylori infection in young patients with GCa could help clarify the role of this bacterium in the development of GCa. Accordingly, we investigated the relationship between H. pylori infection, GCa, and histologic gastritis in patients less than 30 years old. Methods: Fifty GCa patients less than 30 years (mean, 26.4 years) and 100 sex- and age-matched controls (mean, 26.8 years) were examined for the presence of H. pylori infection and histologic gastritis. Results: The prevalence of H. pylori infection was significantly higher in GCa patients than in controls (94% versus 40%, P < 0.01). Its prevalence was not associated with tumor location, tumor stage, or histologic type. Gastritis, atrophy, and intestinal metaplasia significantly increased the risk of GCa. By means of multiple logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio for the risk of GCa in H. pylori-positive subjects was found to be 23.5 (95% confidence interval, 6.84-80.7). Conclusions: We confirmed a strong association between H. pylori infection and GCa in young patients. Along with H. pylori infection, histologic gastritis might play an important role in the pathogenesis of GCa in these patients.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.