Role of Helicobacter pylori infection and lifestyle habits in the development of gastroduodenal diseases in a population from the Brazilian Amazon

• Published in: Arquivos de gastroenterologia Vol. 50; no. 3; pp. 170 - 174
• Main Authors: Vinagre, Ruth Maria Dias Ferreira, Vilar-e-Silva, Adenielson, Fecury, Amanda Alves, Martins, Luisa Caricio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Instituto Brasileiro de Estudos e Pesquisas de Gastroenterologia e Outras Especialidades - IBEPEGE 01-09-2013; Instituto Brasileiro de Estudos e Pesquisas de Gastroenterologia (IBEPEGE)
• Subjects: Adenocarcinoma; Alcohol Drinking - adverse effects; Antigens, Bacterial - genetics; Bacterial Proteins - genetics; Brazil; DNA, Bacterial; Ecossistema amazonico; Feeding Behavior; Female; GASTROENTEROLOGY & HEPATOLOGY; Gastroenteropatias; Helicobacter Infections - complications; Helicobacter pylori; Helicobacter pylori - genetics; Helicobacter pylori - pathogenicity; Humans; Life Style; Male; Middle Aged; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Severity of Illness Index; Smoking - adverse effects; Socioeconomic Factors; Stomach Diseases - microbiology; Ulcera peptica; Virulence; Adenocarcinoma; Ecossistema amazonico; Ulcera peptica; Helicobacter pylori; Gastroenteropatias; Gastrointestinal diseases; Amazonian ecosystem; Peptic ulcer
• ISSN: 0004-2803; 1678-4219; 1678-4219; 0004-2803
• DOI: 10.1590/S0004-28032013000200030

Although more than half of the world's population is colonized with Helicobacter pylori, it remains unknown why this organism is able to produce severe disease in some hosts and be innocuous in others. The clinical outcome of infection is determined by several factors, including differences in the host response to bacterial stimulation, specific virulence factors of the organism and environmental influences, or a combination of these factors.
This study compared the prevalence of H. pylori infection and risk factors (infection with CagA+ strains, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and inadequate eating habits) between patients with different gastrointestinal disorders and associated these risk factors with the histopathological findings.
In a prospective study, samples were collected from 442 patients and a standardized questionnaire regarding lifestyle habits (excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and eating habits) was applied. The presence of H. pylori and of the cagA gene was investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Gastric biopsies were obtained for histological assessment.
The frequency of alcohol consumption, smoking, inadequate diet and infection with CagA+ H. pylori was higher among patients with peptic ulcer and adenocarcinoma when compared to those with gastritis. Gastric inflammation was more pronounced in patients infected with CagA+ strains.
We conclude that infection with CagA+ H. pylori strains, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking and inadequate eating habits increase the risk of developing peptic ulcer and gastric carcinoma.