Helicobacter Pylori Infection is Positively Associated with Metabolic Syndrome in Taiwanese Adults: a Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori infection and metabolic syndrome have been reported to be positively associated. However, only a few studies have focused on this issue, and H. pylori serum antigen was used to diagnose infection in most of them. We aimed to investigate the association between metabolic syndrome factors and H. pylori infection, as diagnosed via a (13)C-urea breath test.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study consisted of 3578 subjects (18-64 years old) enrolled from one health management center between 2008 and 2013. H. pylori infection was defined as a positive urea breath test. The risk of metabolic syndrome from H. pylori infection was assessed using a multiple logistic regression model.

RESULTS

The prevalence of the H. pylori was similar in both genders (20.6% in men and 19.7% in women). H. pylori -infected participants had significantly higher body mass index, fasting glucose, low-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides, and lower high-density lipoprotein (p < 0.05), than uninfected ones (p < 0.05). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was higher in H. pylori -infected subjects than uninfected ones (men: 12.4% vs. 7.4%, p < 0.001; women: 7.4% vs. 2.5%, p < 0.001). Furthermore, H. pylori infection prevalence increased with metabolic score (P for trend <0.001, both sexes). Moreover, the association between metabolic syndrome and UBT positivity was significant in females (OR 1.91, 95% CI:1.03-3.53), but only borderline significant in males (OR 1.38, 95% CI: 0.97-1.95).

CONCLUSION

H. pylori infection is positively associated with metabolic syndrome, especially in females. The causal relationship between H. pylori infection and metabolic syndrome warrants further investigation.