Burden of disease from Helicobacter pylori infection in western Canadian Arctic communities ...

• Main Authors: Fagan-Garcia, Katharine, Geary, Janis, Chang, Hsiu-Ju, McAlpine, Laura, Walker, Emily, Colquhoun, Amy, Van Zanten, Sander V, Girgis, Safwat, Archie, Billy, Hanley, Brendan, Corriveau, Andre, Morse, John, Munday, Rachel, Goodman, Karen J
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: University of Calgary 2019
• Subjects: Arctic
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.11575/prism/44590; https://prism.ucalgary.ca/handle/1880/110499

Abstract Background Indigenous communities across the circumpolar north have elevated H. pylori (Hp) prevalence and stomach cancer incidence. We aimed to describe the Hp-associated disease burden among western Canadian Arctic participants in community-driven projects that address concerns about health risks from Hp infection. Methods During 2008–2013, participants underwent Hp screening by urea breath test and gastroscopy with gastric biopsies. We estimated Hp prevalence and prevalence by Hp status of endoscopic and histopathologic diagnoses. Results Among 878 participants with Hp status data, Hp prevalence was: 62% overall; 66% in 740 Indigenous participants; 22% in 77 non-Indigenous participants (61 participants did not disclose ethnicity); 45% at 0–14 years old, 69% at 15–34 years old, and 61% at 35–96 years old. Among 309 participants examined endoscopically, visible mucosal lesions were more frequent in the stomach than the duodenum: the gastric to duodenal ratio was 2 for inflammation, 8 for erosions, ...