Gastric precancerous lesions and Helicobacter pylori infection in relatives of gastric cancer patients from Northeastern Brazil.
BACKGROUND
Helicobacter pylori infection predisposes to gastric cancer. First-degree relatives of patients with gastric cancer have an increased risk of developing the disease.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the prevalence of gastric precancerous gastric lesions and H. pylori infection in first-degree relatives of non-cardia gastric cancer patients.


METHODS
Gastric cancer relatives (n = 104) from a region with high prevalence of H. pylori infection and gastric cancer were invited for screening endoscopy; 80% of them had dyspeptic symptoms. The control group was composed of patients (n = 118) who concurrently underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for investigation of dyspepsia with no family history of gastric cancer. The groups were matched for gender, age and social class. H. pylori status was evaluated by urease test, and histology and histological parameters were assessed according to the Houston Updated Sydney System.


RESULTS
The prevalence of H. pylori infection was high in both the relative (84.7%) and the control (75.9%) groups. Corpus-predominant gastritis was more frequently observed in the relative group, whereas antral gastritis predominated in the controls. The density of lymphoid follicles was higher among the relatives. Also, intestinal metaplasia in the corpus and dysplasia were more prevalent in the cancer relative group than in the control group. Early gastric cancer was detected in 1 relative of gastric cancer patient with high-grade dysplasia.


CONCLUSIONS
Individuals with a family history of non-cardia gastric cancer need to be routinely screened for H. pylori infection and precancerous gastric lesions.
Motta
Cícero Roberio A
CR
Clinical ResearchUnity, Walter Cantídio University Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil.
Cunha
Maria P S S
MP
Queiroz
Dulciene Maria M
DM
Cruz
Francisco Will S
FW
Guerra
Eder Janes C
EJ
Mota
Rosa Maria S
RM
Braga
Lucia L B C
LL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001284:Atrophy; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005773:Gastroscopy; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008679:Metaplasia; D008875:Middle Aged; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013270:Stomach / Q000473:pathology*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000382:microbiology*; D055815:Young Adult