| Theme | Determination of Gastric Cancer Risk -- Current Conditions and Issues | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Examination of Usefulness of ABC Method in Aging Populations | |
| Publish Date | 2013/07 | |
| Author | Chikara Iino | Department of Gastroenterology, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine |
| Author | Tadashi Shimoyama | Department of Gastroenterology, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine |
| [ Summary ] | The ABC method has been shown to be useful in young urban populations. However, in aging populations with a high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and atrophic gastritis, many subjects may be classified into groups requiring further examinations. On the other hand, successful eradication of H. pylori and use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) modulates serum pepsinogens levels, resulting in underestimation of atrophic gastritis. Case histories should be evaluated carefully before ABC screening because elderly females frequently use PPIs. Titers of serum antibodies for H. pylori often exhibit low cut-off levels in elderly subjects with atrophic gastritis. Adequate cut-off levels should be determined before introducing ABC screening for aging populations. Although these difficulties should be recognized, ABC screening provides many advantages compared to barium radiography. The usefulness of ABC screening should be defermined for individual population. ABC screening should be useful to identify subjects who are at low risk for gastric cancer, including elderly populations. | |