Trial profile: pilot study of the multicentre randomised trial of H. pylori eradication and pepsinogen testing for prevention of gastric cancer mortality (the GISTAR Pilot study)

Purpose: The GISTAR Pilot study is part of a large multi-centre randomised trial conducted in Latvia with the main aim to evaluate preventive strategies to decrease mortality from gastric cancer in high-risk areas, especially in the Baltic States and Eastern Europe. Participants: A total of 3,447 apparently healthy, asymptomatic participants (40-64 y/o) were recruited between 2013 and 2015 for the GISTAR pilot study. Participants were interviewed for socio-economic status, lifestyle, environmental and occupational exposures, medical history, family history of diseases, and dietary habits. Participants were randomly assigned to either Intervention (n=1,724) or Control (n=1,723) group. The in…