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Cancer

Helicobacter pylori Infection and Positive Family History of Gastric Cancer Increase the Risk of Developing Precancerous Conditions in the Stomach

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A study published in the journal Digestive Diseases has found that both Helicobacter pylori infection and positive family history of gastric cancer (FHx) significantly increase the risk of developing significant gastric precancerous conditions (SGPCs) in the stomach. The researchers conducted a cross-sectional study among 761 treatment-naïve adult patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms and found that patients with both H. pylori infection and positive FHx developed SGPCs at an even younger age.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that Helicobacter pylori infection (OR: 2.269, 95% CI: 1.626-3.165) and positive FHx (OR = 1.754, 95% CI: 1.144-2.689) independently increased the likelihood of developing SGPCs.
  • Patients with both H. pylori infection and positive FHx developed SGPCs at an even younger age, with the earliest onset occurring in patients with both risk factors at 19 years old.
  • The study identified age cutoffs for detecting SGPCs were 41, 35, 33, and 19 years for patients without positive FHx and H. pylori infection, with positive FHx only, with H. pylori infection only, and with both positive FHx and H. pylori infection, respectively.
  • The study concluded that identifying and treating H. pylori infection before significant stomach damage occurs could help reduce the risk of gastric cancer.

Statistics:

  • 761 patients were included in the study.
  • The median age of the patients was 42.0 years.
  • The age at which SGPCs were detected varied depending on the presence of risk factors, ranging from around 41 years for those without risk factors to as early as 19 years for those with both H. pylori infection and positive FHx.

Sources:

  • "Interaction Effect of helicobacter Pylori Infection and Family History of Gastric Cancer On the Detection Age of Significant Gastric Precancerous Conditions." Digestive Diseases, 2025:1-18.
  • University of Medicine, Dept. of Internal Medicine, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
  • Karger (publisher of Digestive Diseases journal), Allschwilerstrasse 10, Ch-4009 Basel, Switzerland (www.karger.com).

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