Prevalence of helicobacter pylori in two Iranian provinces with high and low incidence of gastric carcinoma

ABSTRACT

Gastric cancer is significantly more prevalent in north western than central Iran. Growing evidence has related Helicobacter pylori [HP] to gastric cancer worldwide. We assessed the prevalence of HP infection in high [Ardebil] and low [Yazd] prevalence gastric cancer provinces of Iran. Cluster sampling of healthy population aged less than 20 years was performed in Ardebil and Yazd provinces over a 2 month period. Five ml blood was drawn from each person and HP IgG was tested using ELISA [Diagnostic Corporation., sensitivity 98%, specificity 96%]. Seven hundred and eleven individuals [358 in Ardebil and 353 in Yazd] were enrolled. One hundred and seventy individuals [47.5%] in Ardebil and 108 individuals [30.6%] in Yazd were positive for HP [P<0.0001]. Logistic regression analysis showed that no other factor except for increasing age is associated with increased H. Pylori infection in either area. HP infection is significantly more prevalent amongst individuals less than 20 years of age in areas with high prevalence of gastric cancer in Iran. Our data suggest a relation between HP infection and gastric cancer in Iran