Age-stratified risk analysis of gastric cancer: a retrospective hospital-based study of helicobacter pylori, smoking, and dietary patterns in South China across three age groups

TL;DR

This study examines how risk factors for gastric cancer vary by age in South China, finding that Helicobacter pylori infection, smoking, and diet are more significant in older adults.

Contribution

The study provides age-stratified insights into gastric cancer risk factors in South China, emphasizing tailored prevention strategies.

Findings

H. pylori infection and smoking prevalence increase significantly with age.

Smoked/grilled food consumption is strongly associated with gastric cancer in older adults.

Socioeconomic factors show age-related patterns but have mixed associations with cancer risk.

Abstract

Gastric cancer (GC) remains a leading cause of cancer mortality globally, with a multifactorial etiology involving infectious, behavioral, and dietary risk factors. However, age-specific variations in these factors are not well understood.

We conducted a hospital-based retrospective study of 903 pathologically confirmed GC cases recruited from several tertiary medical centers in south China. Participants were stratified into three age groups (≤30, 31–55, and >55 years). Key variables—including Helicobacter pylori infection, smoking, obesity, dietary habits, and medical history—were analyzed using chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression to assess age-related differences in risk factor prevalence and associations.

The prevalence of H. pylori infection and smoking significantly increased with age (p < 0.05), and both factors are known contributors to gastric cancer risk in prior studies. Smoked/grilled food consumption showed a significant association with GC, particularly among older adults (OR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.29–3.27, p = 0.002). Obesity and low fruit/vegetable intake were not statistically significant. Socioeconomic indicators, including urban employee basic medical insurance (UEBMI) coverage, also exhibited age-related patterns but showed mixed associations with GC risk.

This study highlights age-specific disparities in GC risk profiles and underscores the cumulative exposure patterns of H. pylori infection, smoking, and dietary carcinogens. However, given the retrospective and hospital-based design, causal relationships cannot be established, and selection bias may exist. Despite these limitations, the findings provide an epidemiological basis for age-tailored prevention strategies, emphasizing early eradication of H. pylori, smoking cessation, and dietary interventions for high-risk populations.

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