The role of the occupational physician in controlling gastric cancer attributable to Helicobacter pylori infection: A review

The impact of diet, exercise, and sleep on Helicobacter pylori infection with different occupations: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Associations between Helicobacter pylori infection and lifestyle factors vary greatly by geographic location. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in the Hunan cohort of central China and analyze the associations between Helicobacter pylori infection and lifestyle factors in different occupations.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study. Participants who received an annual physical examination were invited. Helicobacter pylori infection was detected by the 13 C-urea breath test. Self-reported physical examination questionnaires were used to analyze participants' demographic information, diet, exercise status, and sleep situations.

RESULTS

23254 participants finished this study. The Helicobacter pylori infection rate in the Hunan area was 25.8%, with the lowest prevalence in students (8.5%) and the highest prevalence in business managers (29.9%). The risk factors for Helicobacter pylori infection were marital status (divorced or married) (OR:1.16, 95%CI:1.090-1.234), overeating (OR:1.105, 95%CI: 1.001-1.220), and consumption of eggs (OR:1.047, 95%CI:1.004-1.092), animal viscera (OR: 1.077, 95%CI:1.014-1.144) and coffee (OR:1.074, 95%CI:1.019-1.132). Participants' education level (OR:0.911, 95%CI:0.881-0942), consumption of midnight snack (OR:0.926, 95%CI:0.877-0.977), and vegetable (OR:0.927, 95%CI: 0.884-0.972) were protective factors against Helicobacter pylori infection. Whether participants exercised regularly or had sleep problems had no significant effect on Helicobacter pylori infection. Different professionals showed significant differences in the rates of overeating, eating three meals on time, midnight snack, and consuming coffee, eggs, animal viscera, and vegetables > 3 times/week (P values < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Helicobacter pylori infection showed a significant relationship with dietary factors, but not significantly with sleep and exercise factors. Different occupations showed different dietary tendencies related to Helicobacter pylori infection. The design of an occupation-based Helicobacter pylori screening and prevention program is supported.

Total worker health® based Helicobacter pylori public health prevention strategy

Purpose of review

This review aims to explore the public health approach for Helicobacter pylori Infection Prevention within the Total Worker Health (TWH) framework strategy.

Recent findings

The review identifies certain occupations considered high-risk groups for H. pylori infection. It underscores primary, secondary, and tertiary public health preventive measures align with the TWH approach. Within this framework, the role of raising awareness, emphasizing infection control, worker hygiene, risk assessment, and ensuring healthcare accessibility is emphasized. The importance of early detection, treatment, eradication, and a TWH approach emerges as a central theme. The TWH approach offers a holistic perspective, intertwining occupation-related health risks with overall health and well being.

Summary

Adopting the TWH approach, coupled with household-based infection control and eradication strategies, can significantly reduce H. pylori prevalence, fostering a healthier workforce and diminishing long-term healthcare costs. The review underscores the importance of recognizing H. pylori as an occupational disease. It calls for further research into the "one-health" perspective on H. pylori transmission dynamics.