<it>Helicobacter pylori </it>and cancer among adults in Uganda

• Main Authors: Owens Marilyn, Gold Benjamin D, Carpenter Lucy, Casabonne Delphine, Ziegler John L, Newton Robert, Beral Valerie, Mbidde Edward, Parkin D Maxwell, Wabinga Henry, Mbulaiteye Sam, Jaffe Harold
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2006-11-01
• Series: Infectious Agents and Cancer
• Online Access: http://www.infectagentscancer.com/content/1/1/5

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Data from Africa on infection with <it>Helicobacter pylori </it>(<it>H. pylori</it>) are sparse. Therefore, as part of an epidemiological study of cancer in Uganda, we investigated the prevalence and determinants of antibodies against <it>H. pylori </it>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 <it>H. pylori</it>. In all patients combined, excluding those with stomach cancer (which has been associated with <it>H. pylori </it>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-<it>H. pylori </it>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-<it>H. pylori </it>antibodies. The prevalence of <it>H. pylori </it>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.</p>