Helicobacter pylori in colorectal neoplasms: is there an aetiological relationship?
2007

Helicobacter pylori and Colorectal Neoplasms

Sample size: 180 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Mary Jones, Peter Helliwell, Colin Pritchard, Joseph Tharakan, Joseph Mathew

Primary Institution: Royal Cornwall Hospital

Hypothesis

Can Helicobacter pylori be detected in normal colon or in association with colorectal neoplasia?

Conclusion

There appears to be an association between Helicobacter pylori and some colorectal neoplasms, but causality cannot be inferred from this pilot study.

Supporting Evidence

  • Helicobacter pylori was found in significant numbers in tubular and tubulovillous adenomas and adenocarcinomas.
  • No significant association was found between Helicobacter pylori and villous adenomas.
  • The study used immunohistochemical methods, which are more specific and sensitive than traditional techniques.

Takeaway

This study looked for a germ called Helicobacter pylori in the intestines of people with different types of growths. They found it in some growths but not in others.

Methodology

Immunohistochemical methods were used to detect Helicobacter pylori in paraffin-embedded colorectal tissue samples.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to the lack of matching for demographic factors.

Limitations

The study did not have information on serology or breath tests, and the sample groups were not matched for age, sex, or socioeconomic status.

Participant Demographics

The study included 180 patients with varying diagnoses: 59 adenocarcinomas, 20 villous adenomas, 20 tubulovillous adenomas, 20 tubular adenomas, and 58 normal controls.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Confidence Interval

95% CI = 1.40–76.70

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1477-7819-5-51

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