Helicobacter pylori CagA status associated with gastric cancer incidence rate variability in Costa Rican regions.

Background: We evaluated several risk factors for gastric cancer in Costa Rican regions having contrasting gastric cancer incidence rates, despite the small dimensions of the country.

Methods: A total of 180 dyspeptic patients were classified into two groups according to the gastric cancer incidence (GCI) rate in their Costa Rican region: group A, with a high GCI rate (n = 91) and group B, with a low GCI rate (n = 89). Helicobacter pylori infection was detected by rapid urease test, Gram staining, and histological observation.