Investigation of the prevalence and risk factors of infection and the value of different gastric cancer screening methods in a low-risk region of gastric cancer in China.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this current study was to identify the prevalence and risk factors of infection in the low-risk area of gastric cancer in China, and evaluate the value of different gastric cancer screening methods.

METHODS

An epidemiological study was conducted in Yudu County, Jiangxi, China, and participants were followed up for 6 years. All participants completed a questionnaire, laboratory tests and endoscopy. Patients were divided into positive and negative groups, and risk factors for infection were identified using multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 1962 residents were included, the prevalence of infection was 33.8%. Multivariate analysis showed that annual income ≤20,000 yuan (OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.18-1.77,  < 0.001), loss of appetite (OR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.29-2.26,  < 0.001), PG II >37.23 ng/mL (OR: 2.11, 95% CI: 1.50-2.97,  < 0.001), G-17 > 1.5 and ≤5.7 pmol/L (OR: 2.52, 95% CI: 1.93-3.30,  < 0.001), and G-17 > 5.7 pmol/L (OR: 1.96, 95% CI: 1.48-2.60,  < 0.001) were risk factors of infection, while alcohol consumption (OR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.54-0.91,  = 0.006) was a protective factor. According to the new gastric cancer screening method, the prevalence of low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia in the low-risk group, medium-risk group and high-risk group was 4.4%, 7.7% and 12.5% respectively ( < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In a low-risk area of gastric cancer in China, the infection rate of is relatively low. Low income, loss of appetite, high PG II, and high G-17 were risk factors for infection, while alcohol consumption was a protective factor. Moreover, the new gastric cancer screening method better predicted low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia than the ABC method and the new ABC method.