Oluwasola, A OOgunbiyi, J O2003-11-202009-05-292003-11-202009-05-292003-11-20Oluwasola AO, Ogunbiyi JO. Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis and gastric cancer in Nigeria. Indian Journal of Gastroenterology. 2003 Nov-Dec; 22(6): 212-4http://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/65333BACKGROUND: The etiology of gastric cancer has not been clearly delineated. There is some evidence of an association of gastric cancer with Helicobacter pylori-induced chronic gastritis, atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia. Previous studies report a high rate of H. pylori infection and chronic gastritis among Nigerians. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 84 tissue specimens with gastric cancer seen in our department over an 18-year period for for the presence of H. pylori infection, chronic gastritis, atrophic gastritis, and intestinal metaplasia in the adjacent non-cancerous gastric mucosa. RESULTS: H. pylori infection was detected in 15 (17.9%) of 84 specimens. Moderate to severe gastritis was found in non-cancerous areas in 77 (91.7%) specimens, and was equally frequent in patients with 'intestinal' and 'diffuse' types of cancer. Atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia were observed in 22 (26.2%) and 35 (41.7%) specimens, respectively, and were more common in 'intestinal' type of gastric cancer. CONCLUSION: Chronic gastritis was seen in the adjacent non-cancerous mucosa in most specimens with gastric cancer. However, its severity did not correlate with the histological subtype of gastric cancer.engAdenocarcinoma --epidemiologyAdolescentAdultAgedAged, 80 and overChi-Square DistributionFemaleGastritis --epidemiologyHelicobacter Infections --epidemiologyHelicobacter pylori --isolation & purificationHumansMaleMiddle AgedNigeria --epidemiologyRetrospective StudiesStomach Neoplasms --epidemiologyJournal Article