FAMILIAL PREDISPOSITION TO PRECANCEROUS GASTRIC-LESIONS IN A HIGH-RISK AREA OF CHINA

Aggregation of intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia was investigated am ong families participating in a population-based gastroscopic screenin g survey in an area of China with one of the world's highest rates of stomach cancer. The prevalence of gastric dysplasia was significantly increased among those with dysplasia among siblings or spouses, but no t parents. The odds of dysplasia were nearly doubled if an eldest brot her or a spouse was affected. Sibling and spousal associations for int estinal metaplasia were much less pronounced and not statistically sig nificant. The specificity of the findings suggests that familial risk of advanced precancerous lesions (dysplasia) is influenced not only by genetic factors, but also by environmental factors operating in child hood and early adult life.