Helicobacter Pylori Infection and Gastric Disease in Bhutan: First Community-Wide, Population-Based Study

Summary

Background: Helicobacter pylori is a major risk factor for gastric cancer, yet in many developing countries, including Bhutan where gastric cancer incidence is high, access to screening and eradication is limited. The investigators conducted the first large-scale, population-based survey of H. pylori infection and gastric disease in Bhutan to provide baseline data before the launch of a national gastric cancer prevention program.

Methods: Permanent residents aged ≥12 years from 24 villages under Dawakha Basic Health Unit II catchment area were enrolled (December 2019-March 2023). H. pylori status was determined by serum IgG testing, gastric atrophy by serum pepsinogen, and endoscopy was offered to high-risk groups.

Conditions

• H.Pylori
• Gastric Cancer
• H Pylori Eradication

Interventions

DRUG

Rabeprazole Sodium, Amoxicillin Hydrate, Clarithromycin

7 days therapy

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for the H. pylori and serum pepsinogen positive individuals (high risk group of gastric cancer)

Endoscopic examinations were conducted using a GIF-150 endoscope in combination with the CV150 system (Olympus Co., Tokyo, Japan).

DEVICE

Urea Breath Test for the prevalence of H pylori

After eradication of the H pylori with drug success of the therapy was assessed 6 to 8 weeks after treatment using the UBT(C13 Urea Breath Test: Beijing Richen-Force Science \& Techinology Co. Ltd.)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Oita University

  collaborator OTHER

• Japan International Cooperation Agency

  collaborator OTHER

• JDWNRH

  collaborator OTHER

• Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Royal Centre for Disease Control Bhutan

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Zero Helicobacter IGAN Network

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Yumiko Kamogawa, M.D., Ph.D. · NPO HIGAN

Study Design

Allocation

NA

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

12 Years

Max Age

80 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2019-12-05

Primary Completion

2020-12-11

Completion

2023-03-21

Countries

• Bhutan

Study Locations