A study of Helicobacter pylori infection, dietary pattern and habits in patients with gastric cancer in South India

Objective: To determine the association of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, dietary\udpattern and habits with gastric cancer in populations where consumption of smoked and salted\udmeat is not high. Methods: A total of 54 patients were included in the study with 27 each in case\udand control groups. H. pylori status was determined in both the groups. The dietary pattern was\udassessed for intake of carbohydrates, non-vegetarian diet, salt, spices, fruits and vegetables,\udusing a food frequency questionnaire. Habits such as smoking, tobacco chewing and alcohol\udconsumption, H. pylori status and dietary pattern were compared between the two groups.\udResults: Forty four percent of the patients with gastric cancer were positive for H. pylori infection\udcompared to 63% of the controls, which is not statistically significant. 44% of the patients with\udgastric cancer had a frequent carbohydrate intake compared to 30% of the controls. Patients with\udgastric cancer had a lower intake of fruits (P >0.05) and vegetables (P >0.05) than controls. Habits\udlike smoking, tobacco chewing and alcohol use were more prevalent among the cases when\udcompared to the controls. However, these differences were not statistically significant. Intake of\udnon-vegetarian diet, salt and spices was found to be similar in both the groups. Conclusions:\udThe H. pylori status was similar between patients with gastric cancer and controls. High intake\udof carbohydrates, low intake of fruits and vegetables, habits like smoking, tobacco chewing and\udalcohol intake were more frequent in patients with gastric cancer compared to the controls,\udalthough the difference did not reach significanc