Helicobacter pylori and the risk of colonic adenomas. Colorectal Adenoma Study Group.
OBJECTIVE
Previous studies have found a positive association between Helicobacter pylori infection and colorectal adenomas. The aim of the present study was to examine this association while taking possible confounding factors into account.


METHODS
98 serum samples were available from 182 patients with colorectal adenomas who entered a case-control study of colorectal adenomas and diet. The H. pylori status in patients was compared with a hospital control group and a population control group.


RESULTS
H. pylori IgG antibodies were more common in colorectal polyp patients compared with either control group, the prevalence being 79% in cases compared with 62% in both control groups. The corresponding RR was 1.4 (0.76-2.6) compared with hospital controls and 2.1 (1.1-3.9) compared with population controls. After adjusting for possible confounding variables the association between H. pylori status and adenoma risk was even more marked. There was an RR of 1.6 (0.80-3.4) compared with hospital controls and an RR of 2.6 (1.3-5.4) compared with population controls, the latter association being statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest a statistically significant association between H. pylori infection and colorectal polyps. A possible mechanism might be increased gastrin levels in H. pylori-infected subjects which exhibit a trophic effect on colonic mucosa.
Breuer-Katschinski
B
B
Department of Gastroenterology, Center of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Essen, Germany.
Nemes
K
K
Marr
A
A
Rump
B
B
Leiendecker
B
B
Breuer
N
N
Goebell
H
H
D011125:Adenomatous Polyposis Coli / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D000368:Aged; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003113:Colonoscopy; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial