Abstract
BACKGROUND: In China, the prevalence and mortality of colorectal cancer (CRC) have always been high, and more than 95% of CRC cases have evolved from colorectal polyps (CPs), especially adenoma. Early detection and treatment of CPs through colonoscopy is essential to reduce the incidence of CRC. Helicobacter pylori (Hp) is regarded as a risk factor for gastritis and gastric cancer and may also be a risk factor for CPs and CRC. However, few studies based on vast clinical cases exist in China to clarify whether Hp is a risk factor for CPs and CRC, and whether Hp-positive patients need to undergo colonoscopy checks earlier. This article attempts to make up for that deficiency. METHOD: This cross-sectional study was conducted based on 13,037 patients without a treatment history of Hp who underwent their first gastroscopy and colonoscopy simultaneously at The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University from January 2018 to December 2019. Pearson χ(2) test and logistic regression were used to determine whether Hp is a risk factor for CPs and CRC. Multifactor analysis of variance was used to define the impact of Hp on CPs prevalence with different ages, sexes. RESULTS: For Chinese individuals, Hp is a risk factor for CPs and CRC. The odds ratio (OR) value are 1.228 (95% CI, 1.130 to 1.336) and 1.862 (95% CI 1.240-2.796), respectively. Hp-positive patients have a higher probability of multiple or large intestinal polyps. However, Hp infection does not increase the incidence of adenomas, nor does it affect the pathological type of adenomas. The OR of Hp on the risk of CPs was 1.432 (95%CI 1.275-1.608) for males but increased to 1.937 (95%CI 1.334-2.815) for those aged 35 to 40. For females, the results were similar. CONCLUSIONS: For the Chinese, Hp is a risk factor for CPs and CRC (OR>1); the infection of Hp increased CPs risk in Chinese of all ages, especially aged 35-40, suggesting that Hp-positive patients should undergo colonoscopy frequently.