title: Helicobacter pylori and cancer among adults in Uganda.
abstract: Data from Africa on infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) are sparse. Therefore, as part of an epidemiological study of cancer in Uganda, we investigated the prevalence and determinants of antibodies against H. pylori among 854 people with different cancer types and benign tumours. Patients were recruited from hospitals in Kampala, Uganda, interviewed about various demographic and lifestyle factors and tested for antibodies against H. pylori. In all patients combined, excluding those with stomach cancer (which has been associated with H. pylori infection), the prevalence of antibodies was 87% (723/833) overall, but declined with increasing age (p = 0.02) and was lower among people who were HIV seropositive compared to seronegative (p < 0.001). Otherwise, there were few consistent epidemiological associations. Among those with stomach cancer, 18/21 (86%) had anti-H. pylori antibodies (odds ratio 0.8, 95% confidence intervals 0.2-2.9, p = 0.7; estimated using all other patients as controls, with adjustment for age, sex and HIV serostatus). No other cancer site or type was significantly associated with anti-H. pylori antibodies. The prevalence of H. pylori reported here is broadly in accord with results from other developing countries, although the determinants of infection and its' role in the aetiology of gastric cancer in Uganda remain unclear.
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology and Genetics Unit, Dept, of Health Sciences, First Floor, Seebohm Rowntree Building, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK. Rob.Newton@egu.york.ac.uk
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Newton
authors.forename: John L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ziegler
authors.forename: Delphine
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Casabonne
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Carpenter
authors.forename: Benjamin D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Gold
authors.forename: Marilyn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Owens
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Beral
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mbidde
authors.forename: D Maxwell
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Parkin
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wabinga
authors.forename: Sam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mbulaiteye
authors.forename: Harold
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jaffe