Background: The rates of gastric cancer reported from Ardabil Province of Iran, are among the highest in the world. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for gastric cancer in Ardabil Province.
Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 128 adults with mean age of 56.5 ± 12.8 yr old in Ardebil City, Iran in 2010 - 2011. Forty-two people with gastric cancer and 86 healthy people were recruited. Participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Fasting blood samples were taken for measurement of IgG and IgA indices against Helicobacter pylori infection. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square and Independent sample t-test.
Results: Diet and H. pylori infection indices had the significant relationship with gastric cancer (P<0.05). Among dietary patterns, drinking hot tea, low intake of fresh vegetables and fruits, and unsaturated fat were the most significant risk factors (P<0.05). In gastric cancer patients, the levels of serum IgG and IgA as indicator of H. pylori infection were significantly (P<0.05) higher than the healthy subjects (IgG 37.7 ± 29.3 vs. 16.9 ± 11.1 U/ml and IgA 50.5 ± 44.7 vs. 22.9 ± 15.8 U/ml). No significant relationship was observed between tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption with gastric cancer.
Conclusion: Dietary pattern especially drinking hot tea and low consumption of unsaturated fat, fresh vegetables, and fruits, as well as H. pylori infection were the most important risk factors in gastric cancer patients.
Keywords: H. pylori; Iran; dietary pattern; gastric cancer.