Helicobacter PyloriInfection in Canadian and Related Arctic Aboriginal Populations

Abstract

In 2006, the Canadian Helicobacter Study Group identified Aboriginal communities among Canadian population groups most at risk ofHelicobacter pylori-associated disease. The objective of this systematic review was to summarize what is known about theH pylori-associated disease burden in Canadian and related Arctic Aboriginal populations to identify gaps in knowledge. Six health literature databases were systematically searched to identify reports onH pyloriprevalence in Canadian population groups, or any topic related toH pyloriin Canadian Aboriginals, Alaska Natives or Aboriginals of other Arctic regions. Identified reports were organized by subtopic and summarized in narrative form. Key data from studies ofH pyloriprevalence in defined populations were summarized in tabular form. A few Arctic Aboriginal communities were represented in the literature: two Canadian Inuit; one Canadian First Nation; two Greenland Inuit; one Russian Chutkotka Native; and several Alaska Native studies. These studies uniformly showed elevatedH pyloriprevalence; a few studies also showed elevated occurrence ofH pylori-related diseases and high rates of treatment failure. Based on the evidence, it would be warranted for clinicians to relax the criteria for investigatingH pyloriand related diseases in patients from Arctic Aboriginal communities, and to pursue post-therapy confirmation of eradication. Additional community-based research is needed to develop public health policies for reducingH pylori-associated health risks in such communities.