TIME TRENDS OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI RELATED DISEASES FOR THE PAST DECADE Opposing time trends of gastric cardia cancer and duodenal ulcer

• Published in: Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology Vol. 15; no. 12
• Main Authors: Jovannovic, Ivan, Bulajic, Milutin, Milosavljevic, Tomica, Bulajic, Mirko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.12.2000
• ISSN: 0815-9319; 1440-1746
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1440-1746.2000.0150120h3.x

Objective Most countries have registered decline in distal (antrum and corpus) gastric cancer incidence and mortality. On the other hand, adenocarcinoma of the gastric cardia has been increasing with the unknown risk factor being responsible. We studied the time trends of Helicobacter pylori related diseases in the past decade. Material and methods This study was based on endoscopy reports of 37 369 in‐ and out patients collected from The Department of The diagnostic endoscopy; Clinic of Gastroenterology and hepatology ‐ Belgrade between 1987 and 1997. Diagnosis of the underlying disorder was established according to the currently accepted endoscopical and histopathological criterion. Result From 1987 and 1997, hospitalization rates for gastric ulcer as well as distal gastric cancer fell (P<0.05), while the hospitalization rate for gastro‐esophageal reflux disease and duodenal ulcer did not change (P<0.05). At the same time, hospitalization rate for gastric cardia cancer rose. When this is compared to the time trends of the duodenal ulcer significant difference between those two trends was observed (P<0.01). Conclusion Opposing time trends of duodenal ulcer versus gastric cardia center is consistent with hypothesis that the declining infection rates for Helicobacter pylori due to the active therapy, in the general population may actually have led to a rise in the occurrence of proximal gastric cancer.