ASSOCIATION OF ALCOHOL-CONSUMPTION AND HELICOBACTER-PYLORI INFECTION IN YOUNG ADULTHOOD AND EARLY MIDDLE-AGE AMONG PATIENTS WITH GASTRIC COMPLAINTS - A CASE-CONTROL STUDY ON FINNISH CONSCRIPTS, OFFICERS AND OTHER MILITARY PERSONNEL

There is growing evidence that Helicobacter pylori is responsible for a variety of gastric and duodenal changes which can eventually lead to stomach cancer. Little is known about risk factors for H. pylori infe ction. We re-analyzed the association of alcohol with H. pylori positi vity in 451 conscripts, officers and other military personnel endoscop ed due to gastric complaints in the Central Military Hospital of Finla nd in 1987 and 1988. Serology and culture were done in all patients. A lcohol consumption histories were obtained by use of a self-administer ed questionnaire. We observed a high odds ratio (OR) of H. pylori infe ction among young adults who were heavy alcohol consumers compared to non-drinkers (OR 5.32, 95% confidence interval: 1.09-25.95). There was evidence of a dose response when heavy and moderate drinkers were com pared to nondrinkers (Mantel-Haenszel chi(2) for trend, p = 0.02) in y oung adulthood. A subgroup of young respondents who reported drinking all classes of alcohol (including hard liquor) showed an even stronger association and more significant dose-response. Multivariate techniqu es revealed a qualitative interaction of alcohol with H. pylori positi vity in different age groups and among old people an inverse associati on of H. pylori and alcohol consumption was observed. These findings, if confirmed independently, might have implications for preventing a v ariety of gastric and duodenal lesions, since they allow identificatio n of high risk groups.