Helicobacter pylori eradication helps prevent gastric cancer in elderly: Study

A new study published in the journal of Gastroenterology showed that even in individuals 70 and older, eliminating Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) may help reduce the incidence and death of stomach cancer.

The overall number of gastric cancer cases, or the true disease burden, is predicted to be stable for the next few decades due to the aging population, even if stomach cancer rates are typically dropping. The primary etiologic factor for stomach cancer has been shown to be Helicobacter pylori, which infects over 50% of people in less developed areas.

The lengthy process of H. pylori-associated gastric carcinogenesis includes several histologic phases, such as intramucosal neoplasia, atrophic gastritis, metaplastic mucosa, chronic gastritis, and ultimately invasive malignancy. Although Helicobacter pylori infection is a significant risk factor for gastric cancer (GC), it is yet unknown if H. pylori eradication (HPE) is advantageous for the elderly. Thus, Yoon Suk Jung and colleagues examined the incidence and mortality of GC in the general population, stratified by age, and in those who had received treatment for H. pylori.

In South Korea, 9,16,438 people aged ≥20 who had HPE treatment between 2009 and 2011 and were followed up with until 2021 participated in a population-based research. For GC, standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were computed by contrasting the general population with those who had received treatment for H. pylori.

The average duration of follow-up was 12.4±1.1 years. With the exception of the 20–29 age group, GC incidence and death rates were considerably lower in H. pylori-treated patients than in the general population across all age groups (30–39, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69, and ≥70 years).

Notably, GC incidence and mortality in people treated with H. pylori remained considerably reduced in the 70–74, 75–79, and ≥80 year age groups. For these groups, the SMRs (95% CIs) were 0.30 (0.25–0.35), 0.38 (0.31–0.47), and 0.43 (0.30–0.59), respectively, while the SIRs.

Overall, HPE may assist persons of all ages, even those over 70, avoid GC and live longer. These results imply that HPE has advantages for both younger and older persons. Younger ages are better for HPE therapy, but later ages might not be a barrier to it.

Source:

Jung, Y. S., Tran, M. T. X., Park, B., & Moon, C. M. (2025). Preventive effect of Helicobacter pylori treatment on gastric cancer incidence and mortality: A Korean population study. Gastroenterology. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2025.03.036