The condition of gastric mucosa was assessed in relatives of patients with gastric cancer (RPGC). The study included 108 RPGC (main group) and 102 patients with no family history of gastric cancer who were screened for dyspepsia. All study participants were subjected to clinical examination, questioning and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGDS) with a biopsy, in which the gastric mucosa state was assessed according to the modified Sydney system, the OLGA and OLGIM systems, and the definition of

more »

... cobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. It was established that the prevalence of H. pylori infection in the main group was 58.3 % (95 % CI 48.8–67.7), in the control group – 56.0 % (95 % CI 46.1–65.6). At RPGC, atrophy of any localization (46.3 % (95 % CI 39.4–53.2) versus 26.5 % (95 % CI 20.4–32.6), respectively, was found more often than in the control group, respectively, p = 0.002), antral atrophic gastritis (41.6 % (95 % CI 34.8–48.4) versus 26.5 % (95 % CI 20.4–32.6), respectively, p = 0.020), and isolated atrophy in the stomach body (4.6 % (95 % CI 1.7–7.4) versus 0 % ( p = 0.03). In RPGC, atrophy developed at a younger age (48.0 years (95 % CI 44.0–52.0) versus 53.0 years in the control group (95 % CI 48.3–57.8) p = 0.000). There were no significant differences between the groups in the incidence of metaplasia and dysplasia. The following risk factors for development of atrophy were identified in the factor analysis: age over 6f0 years (odd ratio (OR) 53.0; 95 % CI 12.2–390.1; p < 0.001), age over 40 years (OR 4.0; 95 % CI 2.0–8.2; p < 0.001), heredity burdened by gastric cancer (OR 2.7; 95 % CI 1.4–5.7; p = 0.006) and the use of strong alcoholic beverages (OR 5.5; 95 % CI 1.6–21.6; p = 0.009). The frequency of the atrophy development of the gastric mucosa is increased in RPGC, and atrophic gastritis develops at a younger age in comparison with individuals without a burdened hereditary history. In addition to the hereditary factor, the risk of atrophy is associated with age and alcohol use.