Correlated prevalence of hydrocele and microfilaremia in Amazon (Belém, 1951-2005).

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: For decades, the city of Belém in Brazil's eastern Amazon was the second city in the country with highest prevalence of cases of filariasis due to Wuchereria bancrofti infection. However, this prevalence decreased over time until reaching null records, concomitantly with a decrease in frequency of recorded hydrocele cases. In this context, we analyzed cross-sectional data to evaluate the degree of correlation between prevalence of positive blood microfilariae results during surveillance screening occurred along 54 years (1951-2005) and prevalence of hydrocele cases recorded in the same time period. METHODS: The dataset regarding hydrocele cases was obtained from two local hospitals. The Endemic Diseases Control Division of the Health Surveillance Department of the Municipal Health Department of Belém provided dataset regarding positive blood microfilariae cases. Prevalence calculus and linear correlation statistics were performed. RESULTS: Both positive blood microfilariae and hydrocele cases are well correlated statistically in absolute frequency (r = 0.871, 95%CI = 0.788 to 0.923, R2 = 0.759, p < 0.0001) and in prevalence (r = 0.835, 95%CI = 0.732 to 0.901, R2 = 0.698, p < 0.0001). INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: We have concluded that blood microfilariae detection and hospitalized hydrocele cases are well correlated in our dataset. In addition, these results support the hypothesis that hydrocele prevalence can be useful to filariasis surveillance and control in endemic areas. However, limitations to hydrocele prevalence as an epidemiological indicator of filariasis are evidenced.

Role of Rutin in 5-Fluorouracil-Induced Intestinal Mucositis: Prevention of Histological Damage and Reduction of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress.

Intestinal mucositis, characterized by inflammatory and/or ulcerative processes in the gastrointestinal tract, occurs due to cellular and tissue damage following treatment with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Rutin (RUT), a natural flavonoid extracted from Dimorphandra gardneriana, exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective, and gastroprotective properties. However, the effect of RUT on inflammatory processes in the intestine, especially on mucositis promoted by antineoplastic agents, has not yet been reported. In this study, we investigated the role of RUT on 5-FU-induced experimental intestinal mucositis. Swiss mice were randomly divided into seven groups: Saline, 5-FU, RUT-50, RUT-100, RUT-200, Celecoxib (CLX), and CLX + RUT-200 groups. The mice were weighed daily. After treatment, the animals were euthanized and segments of the small intestine were collected to evaluate histopathological alterations (morphometric analysis); malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and glutathione (GSH) concentrations; mast and goblet cell counts; and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity, as well as to perform immunohistochemical analyses. RUT treatment (200 mg/kg) prevented 5-FU-induced histopathological changes and reduced oxidative stress by decreasing MDA concentrations and increasing GSH concentrations. RUT attenuated the inflammatory response by decreasing MPO activity, intestinal mastocytosis, and COX-2 expression. These results suggest that the COX-2 pathway is one of the underlying protective mechanisms of RUT against 5-FU-induced intestinal mucositis.

A prospective randomized trial of intralesional triamcinolone injections after endoscopic dilation for complex esophagogastric anastomotic strictures: steroid injection after endoscopic dilation.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Postoperative esophageal strictures frequently recur. We assessed the efficacy of injecting triamcinolone after bougie dilation in comparison to dilation alone. METHODS: In a double-blind randomized fashion, 19 patients (68% male with mean age of 53-years old) with non-dilated esophagogastric complex strictures after esophagectomy with gastric pull-up were assigned to receive dilation alone (control) or 40 mg of triamcinolone at the borders of the wall lacerations caused by the bougienage in each dilation session during the study follow-up. Dysphagia and complications were assessed at 1, 2, and 6 months. Primary end-point was to be dysphagia-free. RESULTS: After 1 month of the beginning of therapy, 4 patients in the steroid group were without dysphagia, in comparison to 0 patient in the control group (P = 0.021). Six months after endoscopic therapy, 62% of the cases in the triamcinolone group versus none in the control group were dysphagia-free (P = 0.009). There was no perforation nor hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: Injecting triamcinolone after every dilation session next to or at the borders of the lacerations caused by the dilators, results in a significant improvement or resolution of dysphagia.

Evidence for two types of lateral interactions in visual perception of temporal signals.

The aim of this work was to investigate the mechanisms of lateral interactions involved in flicker perception. Furthermore, the spatial properties of the monoptic and dichoptic components of these mechanisms were studied. We quantified the perceived flicker strength (PFS) in the center of a test stimulus, which was simultaneously modulated with a surround stimulus of variable size. The modulation depth of a separate stimulus, identical to the center test stimulus but without the surround, was determined using a two-alternative forced choice procedure. Using LCD goggles synchronized to the frame rate of a CRT screen, the center and surround of the test stimulus were presented either monoptically or dichoptically. In the monoptic condition, center-surround interactions have subcortical and cortical origins. In the dichoptic condition, center-surround interactions must have a cortical origin. The difference between the dichoptic and the monoptic data is an estimate of the contribution of the subcortical mechanisms. At each condition (surround stimulus size; monoptic or dichoptic presentation), the PFS was measured for phase differences between center and surround stimuli. The PFS changed systematically with phase difference. It also was observed that the PFS in the center stimulus changed merely be the presence of a surround stimulus independently of the center-surround phase difference. We propose that this is a phase-independent mechanism related to contrast adaptation owing to the presence of surround modulation. Our data suggest that both phase-dependent and -independent mechanisms have cortical and subcortical origins. There were no systematic differences between the spatial properties of subcortical and cortical components involved in PFS modulation.

Neogenomic events challenge current models of heritability, neuronal plasticity dynamics, and machine learning.

We address current needs for neogenomics-based theoretical and computational approaches for several neuroscience research fields, from investigations of heritability properties, passing by investigations of spatiotemporal dynamics in the neuromodulatory microcircuits involved in perceptual learning and attentional shifts, to the application of genetic algorithms to create robots exhibiting ongoing emergence.

Helicobacter pylori cagA polymorphism and gastric inflammation: an international comparison between Japanese and Brazilian patients.

OBJECTIVE: Gastritis induced by Helicobacter pylori can cause the onset of gastric cancer, and H. pylori cytotoxin associated gene A (cagA) is considered to be an important factor for its development. We investigated the relationship between the grades of gastritis and cagA phenotype in Japanese and Brazilian patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 47 Brazilian and 47 age-, gender-matched Japanese patients. Status of H. pylori infection, the degree of histologic gastritis, and the levels of serum pepsinogen levels were evaluated. DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded sections and a portion of the cagA gene was amplified using the polymerase chain reaction, followed by direct sequencing of the fragment. We investigated the cagA subtype using a newly developed restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) system. RESULTS: In H. pylori-positive patients, the grades of histological and serological gastritis were more prominent in the Japanese subjects than their Brazilian counterparts, although no difference was detected in the H. pylori-negative subjects. According to cagA phenotype analysis, our RFLP system was helpful for evaluating cagA phenotype, and we found that the prevalence of the East Asia subtype was significantly higher in the Japanese subjects than in the Brazilian. CONCLUSION: Infection with H. pylori possessing the East Asian cagA gene contributes to the progression of gastritis.

Troxerutin Prevents 5-Fluorouracil Induced Morphological Changes in the Intestinal Mucosa: Role of Cyclooxygenase-2 Pathway.

Intestinal mucositis is a common complication associated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), a chemotherapeutic agent used for cancer treatment. Troxerutin (TRX), a semi-synthetic flavonoid extracted from Dimorphandra gardneriana, has been reported as a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of TRX on 5-FU-induced intestinal mucositis. Swiss mice were randomly divided into seven groups: Saline, 5-FU, TRX-50, TRX-100, TRX-150, Celecoxib (CLX), and CLX + TRX-100. The weight of mice was measured daily. After treatment, the animals were euthanized and segments of the small intestine were collected to evaluate histopathological alterations (morphometric analysis), levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), glutathione (GSH), mast and goblet cell counts, immunohistochemical analysis, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity. Compared to the saline treatment, the 5-FU treatment induced intense weight loss and reduction in villus height. TRX treatment (100 mg/kg) prevented the 5-FU-induced histopathological changes and decreased oxidative stress by decreasing the MDA levels and increasing GSH concentration. TRX attenuated inflammatory process by decreasing MPO activity, intestinal mastocytosis, and COX-2 expression. TRX also reversed the depletion of goblet cells. Our findings suggest that TRX at a concentration of 100 mg/kg had chemopreventive effects on 5-FU-induced intestinal mucositis via COX-2 pathway.

Endoscopic classification of the capillary-vessel pattern of colorectal lesions by spectral estimation technology and magnifying zoom imaging.

BACKGROUND: Colonoscopy with spectral estimation technology and magnifying zoom imaging allows the characterization of the fine superficial capillary pattern of normal mucosa and of colorectal lesions. The endoscopic distinction of the capillary pattern of colorectal lesions might contribute to the differential diagnosis among normal, hyperplastic, and neoplastic lesions. OBJECTIVE: By means of these latest technologic advances, the objective is to define a classification of the capillary-vessel pattern of colorectal lesions diagnosed during routine colonoscopy. DESIGN: A total of 309 colorectal lesions endoscopically or surgically resected were prospectively examined. The capillary pattern was divided into 5 subtypes according to the number, morphology, and distribution of the fine blood vessels. Capillary patterns types I and II were characterized by a few short, straight, and sparsely distributed vessels; types III to V were of numerous, elongated, and tortuous capillaries irregularly distributed. RESULTS: The overall accuracy of the capillary-vessel classification in determining the neoplastic or non-neoplastic nature of the colorectal lesions was 98.3% (304/309 lesions). Among 59 non-neoplastic lesions, 56 (94.9%) that showed patterns I or II were diagnosed as normal, inflammatory, or hyperplastic polyps. Of the 250 neoplastic lesions, 248 (99.2%) that had capillary pattern types III, IV, and V were diagnosed as adenomatous or carcinoma. The sensitivity of the capillary pattern classification for distinguishing neoplasia was 99.2% (95% CI, 98.2%-100%), and the specificity was 94.9% (95% CI, 92.5%-97.4%). LIMITATION: A single-center study. CONCLUSION: The endoscopic classification of the superficial capillary-vessel pattern of colorectal lesions is an accurate method of predicting the histopathologic findings.

GENDER, AGE, ENDOSCOPIC FINDINGS, UREASE AND HELICOBACTER PYLORI : ALL UNCORRELATED WITHIN A SAMPLE OF A HIGH GASTRIC CANCER PREVALENCE POPULATION IN AMAZON.

BACKGROUND: It is widely assumed that gender, age, gastritis and Helicobacter pylori , all have some degree of correlation and, therefore, can synergistically lead to the development of gastric cancer. OBJECTIVE: In this cross-sectional study, we expected to observe the above mentioned correlation in the analysis of medical records of 67 patients of both sexes (female, n=44), mean age ± standard deviation: 41±12 years old, all from Belém (capital of Pará State, Brazilian Amazon), a city historically known as one with the highest gastric cancer prevalence in this country. METHODS: All patients were submitted to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for gastric biopsy histopathological analysis and rapid urease test. All diagnoses of gastritis were recorded considering its topography, category and the degree of inflammatory activity, being associated or not associated with H. pylori infection. RESULTS: The results show that no statistically relevant associations were found among the prevalences of the observed variables. CONCLUSION: The authors hypothesize that observed risk factors associated to gastric cancer might be lesser synergistic than is usually expected.

[Prevalence reduction of duodenal ulcer: a Brazilian study. (retrospective analysis in the last decade: 1996-2005)]. / Redução da prevalência de úlcera duodenal: um estudo brasileiro (análise retrospectiva na última década: 1996-2005).

BACKGROUND: The duodenal ulcer always represented a very prevalent pathology among the gastrointestinal tract diseases worldwide. The average prevalence is approximately 10% of the world population. In the 90s the literature (both European and North American) begin to show a crescent reduction of this prevalence in many countries. AIM: To show through a retrospective analysis the annual prevalence of the duodenal ulcer in the last 10 years in a Digestive Endoscopy Service which is referred to public medical system in Porto Alegre and its suburban area and countryside of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The data analyzed is from March 1996 to December 2005. Specific data: transversal retrospective study with documented analysis of endoscopic diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the diagnosis of the 13.130 procedures of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy between 1996 and 2005. The Sakita classification was used to verify the duodenal ulcer activity taking into consideration the patients who have lesions on A1 to S1 levels. To verify if there was a statistical significant results, a linear regression test was done (linear regression model). RESULTS: A graduate decrease of the prevalence percentuals was observed, year after year, it began with 8.3% of prevalence in 1996 and finished with 3.3% in the beginning of 2006. The average annual reduction of this prevalence was calculated following the regression test and it was placed in the 1.3% a year in the studied period of time. In 2003, in an isolated way, it was an exception in the decrease of the percentage because it presented a prevalence increase of (6.5%) comparing to the first 6 years of study. CONCLUSION: In this study it was observed a decrease of duodenal ulcer prevalence, 1.3% a year to be more accurate in 10 years of study, showing a statistical significance in the linear regression test.

Clinical impact of the immunochemical fecal occult blood test for colorectal cancer screening in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programs based on the fecal occult blood test (FOBT) reduce CRC mortality. We carried out an observational prospective study to determine the accuracy of immunochemical FOBTs for the detection of CRC in individuals at average risk for the disease. METHODS: This population-based study was performed between April 2015 and January 2016 in two gastroenterology referral centers in Southern Brazil. It included 1039 average-risk volunteers aged 50-75 years who were symptom-free for colonic disease. Participants underwent OC-Light immunochemical fecal occult blood test (i-FOBT, EIKEN chemical Co., Tokyo, Japan) as well as screening colonoscopy. RESULTS: Nine hundred forty-eight (91.2%) of the 1039 participants completed and returned the i-FOBT (95% confidence interval [CI] 89.4-92.9). Among the 73 participants with a positive i-FOBT who underwent colonoscopy, advanced CRC was detected in 9 (12.3%). Two (2.7%) early CRCs, 7 (9.5%) high-grade dysplasia adenomas and 25 (34.2%) low-grade dysplasia adenomas were also diagnosed. Among the 243 negative i-FOBT cases who underwent colonoscopy, one (0.4%) advanced CRC and 91 (37.6%) low-grade dysplasia adenomas were detected. The detection rate of CRC considering the whole screened population (n=1039) was 1.05% (11/1039). CONCLUSIONS: The i-FOBT test in the CRC screening programs in Brazil showed a high compliance and high detection rates for cancers and high-risk adenomas. The i-FOBT test is feasible for CRC screening in an average-risk population.

Evidence of Asymptomatic Visual Losses after Surgical Repair of Cerebral Aneurysm.

Deficits in visual acuity, visual field, and oculomotor function are commonly detected after repair of cerebral aneurysms. However, when these deficits are absent, it does not mean that other potential visual deficits also are absent. Here, we report three cases that after complete recover from surgical repair of cerebral aneurysms presented minimal visual acuities of about 20/20 and no visual disturbances. While two of them (Cases 1 and 2) showed visual fields with no relevant central defects, two of them showed relevant impairments in spatial contrast sensitivity (Cases 2 and 3). This evidence supports that after complete recover from surgical repair of hemorrhagic cerebral aneurysms spatial contrast sensitivity can be asymptomatically impaired when visual acuity (Cases 2 and 3) and visual fields (Case 2) are not correlated with symptoms of visual disturbances. Hypothetical explanations and consequences of such evidence are discussed.

Further evidence associating IgG1, but not IgG2, with susceptibility to canine visceral leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi-infection.

We present here a cross-sectional study analyzing the IgG1 and IgG2 immune responses to natural canine Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi-infection and their relationships with delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) in 50 mongrel dogs with previous positive serodiagnoses (IFAT-IgG) (56% with subclinical status [= apparently healthy] and 44% clinically sick), living in endemic areas for visceral leishmaniasis in the Brazilian Amazon. IgG1 and IgG2 responses were measured using commercial polyclonal antibodies in ELISA, while DTH was elicited by intradermal skin test using cultured promastigotes L. (L.) i. chagasi-antigen. Data analyses used Chi-square and Pearson's r coefficient (95% confidence interval). Regarding DTH and the clinical statuses of dogs, it was noted that 100% of the animals showing positive DTH (n = 8) were from the subclinical group, while 100% showing negative DTH were from the clinically sick group; higher IgG2 than IgG1 responses were observed in both clinical groups. However, when this comparison was made between the subclinical and sick groups, higher IgG1 responses were noted in the dogs from the sick rather than the subclinical group, while no differences were noted between the IgG2 responses in the dogs from both clinical groups. Additionally, we found lower IgG1 responses in dogs from the subclinical group showing positive DTH than in the dogs from the subclinical or sick groups with negative DTH; no differences were found between the IgG2 responses of these two clinical groups. These findings suggest that the IgG1, but not the IgG2, response is associated with susceptibility to canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL).

The efficacy of herbal medicines in clinical models: the case of jambolan.

A large proportion of drugs employed in clinical practice come from plants. The development of new medical agents is a lengthy and time-consuming process, with the identification of extracts with putative therapeutic effects, the isolation of active ingredients and pre-clinical studies to investigate their pharmacological profile. We propose a shortcut in this sequence of procedures, testing first if the extracts, in the way they are used by patients, have efficacy in clinical models. On the one hand, this allows to screen plants with higher chances to identify novel drug candidates; this method may result in information with immediate interest for patients who take these traditional preparations, informing them about efficacy, inertia and risks of the product. In this commentary, we describe our own experience applying this approach to investigate the potential antihyperglycemic effect of tea and extracts prepared from leaves of jambolan (Syzygium cumini and Syzygium jambos). The experiments with normal rats, rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes, normal volunteers and patients with diabetes were all negative in regard to an antihyperglycemic effect of this plant. In view of the pharmacological inertia of jambolan in the clinical model, patients and physicians should not rely on its putative antihyperglycemic effect. This approach may also be applicable to other popular medicines employed in the management of diabetes and other diseases.

[Probable cause of death after reclassification of ill-defined causes on hospital admissions forms in the Unified National Health System, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil]. / Reclassificação dos grupos de causas prováveis dos óbitos de causa mal definida, com base nas Autorizações de Internação Hospitalar no Sistema Unico de Saúde, Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.

This article describes the clinical and socio-demographic characteristics of deaths from ill-defined causes in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1998, and reclassifies the groups of probable causes based on data from death certificates in the Mortality Information System and the Hospital Information System of the Unified National Health System (SIH-SUS) for 1997-98. Reclassification required a random sample of defined causes from the SIH-SUS. The technique used was probabilistic relationship of records. As compared to deaths with defined causes, in those with ill-defined causes the individuals were predominantly non-white, had less schooling, had died in Greater Metropolitan Rio de Janeiro, were less likely to have been hospitalized in the SUS, and were more likely to have died at home and without medical care. It was possible to reclassify 20% of deaths with ill-defined causes. Reclassification had a minor impact on proportional mortality, due to the size of this group (10% of the deaths). However, if the results could be applied to all deaths with ill-defined causes, the impact might be greater on proportional mortality.

Isolation of Fonsecaea pedrosoi from thorns of Mimosa pudica, a probable natural source of chromoblastomycosis.

We report the isolation of Fonsecaea pedrosoi from thorns of the plant Mimosa pudica L. at the place of infection identified by one of our patients. Clinical diagnosis of chromoblastomycosis was established by direct microscopic examination and cultures from the patient's lesion. The same species was isolated from the patient and from the plant. Scanning electron microscopy of the surface of the thorns showed the characteristic conidial arrangement of F. pedrosoi. These data indicate that M. pudica could be a natural source of infection for the fungus F. pedrosoi.

Angiogenesis in advanced colorectal adenocarcinoma with special reference to tumoral invasion.

BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis is a crucial step in tumor growth and progression. Its quantification by microvessel counting has a prognostic value in several types of malignancies and recently has been appraised in gastrointestinal tumors. AIM: To assess the prognostic significance of microvessel quantification in colorectal carcinomas, studying its association with hematogenous metastases, survival and clinicopathological variables such as size, histologic differentiation and depth of tumoral invasion. PATIENTS/METHODS: Forty eight patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma were included in this study. Histologic sections of invasion tumoral margin (4 microns) were analyzed and endothelined microvessels were immunostained with monoclonal mouse Von Willebrand Factor (anti-FVIII). The microvessel count was performed from the identification of the area with increased microvessel density--hot spots--and results of the mean in five of these fields. RESULTS: The cut-off microvessel count was 14 microvessels/0.785 mm2, which divided the sample into hypovascular and hypervascular groups. While 2/8 (25%) tumors with muscularis propria invasion were classified as hypervascular, 11/15 (73%) tumors with serosa or perivisceral fat were classified as hypervascular. However, a non-significant statistical association was found between the angiogenesis quantification, hematogenous metastases, survival and clinicopathological variables such as size and histologic differentiation of the tumor. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of significantly increase of microvessel count in conformity with tumoral invasion depth supports the hypothesis that tumor progression might be related to angiogenesis. Although angiogenesis is an important step in the tumoral growth and during the metastatization process, other factors can be implicated.

Prevalence of dyslipidemia and risk factors in Campos dos Goytacazes, in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of dyslipidemias in adults in the city of Campos dos Goytacazes, in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro, and to identify its relation to risk factors. METHODS: Cross-sectional, population-based, observational study with sampling through conglomerates and stratified according to socioeconomic levels, sex, and age, with 1,039 individuals. Risk factors, familial history, blood pressure, anthropometric measurements, glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol were determined. RESULTS: The following prevalences were observed: of dyslipidemias 24.2%; of hypercholesterolemia, 4.2%; of elevated LDL-C, 3.5%; of low HDL-C, 18.3%; and of hypertriglyceridemia, 17.1%. The following mean levels were observed: cholesterol, 187.6 +/- 33.7 mg/dL; LDL-C, 108.7 +/- 26.8 mg/dL; HDL-C, 48.5 +/- 7.7 mg/dL; and triglycerides, 150.1 +/- 109.8 mg/dL. The following variables showed a positive correlation with dyslipidemia: increased age (P<0.001), male sex (P<0.001), low familial income (P<0.001), familial history (P<0.01), overweight/obesity (P<0.001), waist measure (P<0.001), high blood pressure (P<0.001), and diabetes mellitus (P<0.001). The following variables had no influence on dyslipidemias: ethnicity, educational level, smoking habits, and sedentary lifestyle. CONCLUSION: The frequency of lipid changes in the population studied was high, suggesting that measures for the early diagnosis should be taken, in association with implementation of programs for primary and secondary prevention of atherosclerosis.

Gênero, idade, achados endoscópicos, urease e Helicobacter pylori: ausência de correlação dentro de uma amostra de população com alta prevalência de câncer gástrico na Amazônia / Gender, age, endoscopic findings, urease and helicobacter pylori: all uncorrelated within a sample of a high gastric cancer prevalence population in amazon

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: It is widely assumed that gender, age, gastritis and Helicobacter pylori , all have some degree of correlation and, therefore, can synergistically lead to the development of gastric cancer. OBJECTIVE: In this cross-sectional study, we expected to observe the above mentioned correlation in the analysis of medical records of 67 patients of both sexes (female, n=44), mean age ± standard deviation: 41±12 years old, all from Belém (capital of Pará State, Brazilian Amazon), a city historically known as one with the highest gastric cancer prevalence in this country. METHODS: All patients were submitted to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for gastric biopsy histopathological analysis and rapid urease test. All diagnoses of gastritis were recorded considering its topography, category and the degree of inflammatory activity, being associated or not associated with H. pylori infection. RESULTS: The results show that no statistically relevant associations were found among the prevalences of the observed variables. CONCLUSION: The authors hypothesize that observed risk factors associated to gastric cancer might be lesser synergistic than is usually expected.

RESUMO CONTEXTO: É amplamente assumido que gênero, idade, gastrite e Helicobacter pylori , todos têm algum grau de correlação e, portanto, podem sinergicamente levar ao desenvolvimento de câncer gástrico. OBJETIVO: Neste estudo transversal, esperamos observar a correlação acima mencionada na análise de prontuários de 67 pacientes de ambos os sexos (sexo feminino, n=44), média de idade ± desvio padrão: 41±12 anos, todos de Belém (capital do Estado do Pará, Amazônia Brasileira), uma cidade historicamente conhecida como sendo uma das que apresenta maior prevalência de câncer gástrico no país. MÉTODOS: Todos os pacientes foram submetidos à endoscopia digestiva alta para análise histopatológica da biópsia gástrica e teste rápido da urease. Todos os diagnósticos de gastrite foram registrados considerando sua topografia, categoria e grau de atividade inflamatória, sendo associada ou não associada à infecção por H. pylori . RESULTADOS: Os resultados mostram que não foram encontradas associações estatisticamente relevantes entre as prevalências das variáveis observadas. CONCLUSÃO: Os autores levantam a hipótese de que os fatores de risco associados ao câncer gástrico podem ser menos sinérgicos do que o esperado.