Recently, infection of Heliobacter pylori (H.pylori) bacteria gets big attention in the medical circle because it proved to be related with cases of gastric cancer. A number of researches revealed that patients with case history of H. pylori infection has the risk of gastric cancer as many as 2, 7 to 12 times. The risk increases particularly when H. pylori infection occurs in young age.
H. pylori prevalence in every country varies. In developed countries, H.pylori prevalence is not more than 40% with the young age and adolescence having fewer occurrences of infection than adults. However, it is different from cases in developing countries which have higher infection prevalence among toddlers. “This shows that H.pylori infection occurs in early age,” said Prof. dr. Muhammad Juffrie, Sp.A(K), Ph.D., delivering his inaugural speech as professor of Faculty of Medicine UGM at UGM Senate Hall, Wednesday (2/2).
Data shows that prevalence of H.pylori in children in Indonesia also varies. Research in Jakarta shows that prevalence of infection reaches 20%, in Mataram 40%, and in Yogyakarta recorded 25% from patients who come to Dr. Sardjito General Hospital complain repeatedly stomachache. Gastric ferocity is result of a series of processes triggered by H. pylori infection, which is signed by accumulation of molecular disturbance. Gastric ferocity is one of tumors with frequency of cluster mutilation.
In a speech entitled Early Eradication of Heliobacter Pylori (Epigenetics of Gastric Ferocity): A Future Challenge, the man born in Pamekasan, 14 January 1965 mentioned eradication/elimination of H.pylori bacteria in children can prevent epigenetic process of gastric cancer ferocity so gastric cancer can be avoided in their adult age. The decision to eradicate this bacteria infection in children is “golden age” because in this age, gastric epithel has not reached pre-cancer phase due to epigenetic process from H. pylori infection. “If eradication is done after children age in which gastric ephitel is already on pre-cancer stadium, it is useless to change epigenetics of gastric cancer,” the Head Section of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine UGM, explained.
The condition, according to Muhammad Juffrie, a pediatrician and gastrohepatologic consultant, was a challenge for pediatricians to pay more attention to the emerging symptoms. Besides, supporting check-up to diagnose H. pylori infection is conducted to build diagnosis as early as possible and to eradicate early.
The husband of Hj. Herawaty explained that H.pylori eradication in initial step that is done by conducting filter test through testing and treatment is very beneficial with high profit, even it can decrease the number of mortality by 10%. A random controllable testing research in China showed the risk in risk reduction of cancer with chemoprevention is as much as 37% after 7.5 years.
In developed countries with low gastric cancer incidences, H.pylori eradication aims to reduce the treatment cost of dyspepsia/gastric disturbance. A research in England showed that H. pylori eradication decreases treatment cost related to dyspepsia up to 30%. “This action is very useful because it can improve the life quality of patients with H. pylori infection,” said Head of UKK of Gastrohepatology of Indonesian Pediatrician Association.