[Influence of climate, according to Koppën classification and Lang's index, on gross rate mortality associated with prostate cancer in the geographical area of Spain]. / Influencia de la climatología, según la clasificación de Koppën e índice de Lang, sobre la tasa bruta de mortalidad asociada al cancer de próstata en el área geográfica de España.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if the climatic factors of temperature and rainfall influence mortality associated with prostate cancer for a period of five years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The mortality trends associated with prostate cancer will be evaluated in the period ranging from 1st january 1998 to 31st december 2002, in the geographical area of Spain. The demographic and mortality data were obtained from the National Institute of Statistics and the climatologically data on temperature and rainfall were obtained from the National Meteorology Institute applying the values registered in 2002. Based on the meteorological data, the different provinces are classified in accordance with Koppën climate classification and climatic index of Lang that defines them from the mean annual and monthly temperature and rainfall data. Mortality rates will be expressed by 100.000 men year, applying for their study the Kruskall-Wallis test for "n" independent samples through the SPSS v12.0 Windows software. RESULTS: Three main climatic areas are obtained, one area with type B climate, which accounts for 13% of the total population, a Csa climate, and a Csb, accounting for 67 and 20% respectively. The mortality found is higher in the Csb type for prostate cancer (p= 0.007), as compared to the other two climatic areas. CONCLUSION: Mortality associated with prostate cancer is significantly higher in the regions with a lower sun exposure. However, randomized prospective studies confirming these findings are warranted.

Intestinal metaplasia: evolution after Helicobacter pylori eradication and influence in the success of eradicating therapy.

INTRODUCTION: intestinal metaplasia associated with Helicobacter pylori infection is a stage of the temporal sequence of histological lesions gradually induced by this microorganism. It is considered a preneoplastic lesion and its regression after eradication is controversial. AIM: to assess the evolution of intestinal metaplasia after eradication and to investigate whether metaplasia is a factor that contributes to successful treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: four hundred Helicobacter pylori positive patients were studied. Eradicating therapy was administered and endoscopic biopsies of gastric antrum and body were taken before and after eradication. Among other histological data, the presence of intestinal metaplasia was assessed. RESULTS: of all patients successfully treated, biopsies were taken before and after eradication in 268 of them: 71 (26,5%) had metaplasia before and 50 (18,7%) after eradication. A significant difference was observed in the outcome (p = 0,036) of the first eradicating treatment between the group without initial metaplasia (72,7%) and the group with initial metaplasia (61.2%). DISCUSSION: Helicobacter pylori eradication can revert intestinal metaplasia in some patients. On the other hand, the first treatment could be less successful in patients with intestinal metaplasia.