[Present state of Japanese intervention trial of H. pylori]

To prove a 'causal link' between H. pylori infection and gastric cancer, the intervention study called JITHP was planned in 1994 under the auspices of Second Term Comprehensive Strategies for Cancer Control in Japan organized by Ministry of Health and Welfare. Although the trial was performed by affiliated 145 institutions scattered all over Japan, we were confronted with the difficulties of patients accrual for this trial. As a result, the initial two principal items for evaluation in this study were reduced to one. That is, we decided to conduct a comparative study on only prevention of the onset and progression of atrophy of gastric mucosa by H. pylori elimination' and not evaluate the other 'comparative study on the frequency of stomach cancer'. Finally, a total of 682 patients, with 342 in H. pylori eradicated group and 340 in un eradicated group were enrolled. The final outcome of this trial will be obtained in March 2004.