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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.
