Risk factors for development of atrophic gastritis

Helicobacter pylori of CagA+ type, but not CagA-, salt intake, alcohol intake, and smoking is associated with risk of atrophic gastritis. Intake of antioxidative vitamins are protective, possibly through effect modification of H pylori effects. Questionnaire data and sera were collected as a part of the MONICA-study at the University of Umeå. The study base consisted of the population of Västerbotten. From each of the materials collected 1990, 1994 and 1999 500 men and 500 women will randomly be chosen. The concentration of pepsinogen A will be determined in the sera from these 3000 individuals. The concentration of pepsinogen is low when a person has atrophic gastritis. We expect to find about 200 persons with serological signs of atrophic gastritis. To each of them three age-matched controls will be chosen among those without atrophic gastritis. The prevalence of antibodies to Helicobacter pylori and CagA, a surface protein of the bacteria which is supposed to be a pathogenicity marker, will be analysed in the sera from all 800 cases and controls. Helicobacter-status and questionnaire data will be related to the risk of atrophic gastritis.
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