The relationship between body-mass index and Helicobacter pylori infection: a case-control study

Abstract

Objective: Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the most common infections worldwide. There are different opinions in the literature aboutthe relationship between H. pylori and obesity. In this study, we investigated the relationship between body-mass index (BMI) and H. pyloriinfection.Material and Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients who underwent endoscopic examinations at Tekirdağ NamıkKemal University Faculty of Medicine Hospital in 2019. The prevalence of H. pylori infection was examined by biopsy. The relationshipbetween BMI and H. pylori infection was analyzed.Results: 51.8% of the cases in our population were positive for H. pylori infection. On histopathological examination, acute and chronicinflammation findings were higher in H. pylori-positive cases compared to H. pylori-negative cases. The prevalence of H. pylori infectionwas higher in patients with high BMI than those with low BMI. Statistical analysis showed a significant relationship between BMI and theprevalence of H. pylori infection (p<0.001), and there was a positive linear correlation between these two parameters (r=0.542). When therisk factors were examined univariable, BMI was found to be a significant risk factor for H. pylori infection (p=0.008). Multivariable analysisresults revealed that BMI is an independent risk factor for H. pylori infection. (OR=1.32 (1.09-3.46), p=0.025).Conclusion: Our results showed that there is a significant relationship between BMI and H. pylori infection, and high BMI is an independentrisk factor for H. pylori infection.