Helicobacter pylori infection is linked to metabolic dysfunction and associated steatotic liver disease: A large cross-sectional study

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a globally widespread pathogen affecting half of the global population, has been increasingly implicated in metabolic disorders, including obesity, dyslipidemia, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). MASLD is a common condition, impacting nearly one in four adults globally. It also shares significant pathophysiological links with metabolic syndrome. Despite the fact that mechanistic hypotheses (such as oxidative stress and inflammation) have been proposed to explain these relationships, large-scale studies comprehensively assessing multifactorial metabolic associations are lacking. We proposed that H. pylori infection may independently correlate with unfavorable metabolic profiles and the presence of MASLD among adults in a large cohort.

AIM

To investigate the associations of H. pylori infection with obesity, glucose, lipids, blood pressure, and MASLD in Chinese adults.

METHODS

This study included 28624 adults recruited from the Physical Examination Center at Nanchang University's Second Affiliated Hospital. The 13C-urea breath test was used to identify H. pylori infection, while abdominal ultrasound was employed for MASLD diagnosis. The relationships between H. pylori infection and metabolic factors were analyzed via multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

The overall H. pylori infection incidence was 26.8%, with higher rates observed in older adults (≥ 70 years: 26.1% vs 18-29 years: 24.6%, P < 0.001) and obese individuals [body mass index (BMI) ≥ 28 kg/m²: 30.0% vs normal BMI: 25.3%, P < 0.001]. H. pylori-positive individuals exhibited elevated blood glucose (5.43 ± 1.55 mmol/L vs 5.27 ± 1.23 mmol/L, P < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (2.97 ± 0.76 mmol/L vs 2.94 ± 0.75 mmol/L, P < 0.001), and blood pressure (systolic: 123.49 ± 19.06 mmHg vs 122.85 ± 18.33 mmHg, P = 0.009; diastolic: 75.48 ± 12.37 vs 74.9 mmHg ± 11.9 mmHg, P < 0.001) levels. Among MASLD patients, infection was associated with increased glucose (5.82 ± 1.95 mmol/L vs 5.60 ± 1.60 mmol/L, P < 0.001), total cholesterol (5.05 ± 1.03 mmol/L vs 5.00 ± 1.00 mmol/L, P = 0.039), BMI (26.23 ± 3.00 kg/m² vs 26.04 ± 2.96 kg/m², P = 0.004), and blood pressure (systolic: 129.5 ± 20.00 mmHg vs 128.49 ± 17.62 mmHg, P = 0.009; diastolic: 79.87 ± 12.07 mmHg vs 79.04 ± 11.76 mmHg, P = 0.002) levels. Multivariate analysis demonstrated elevated glucose [odds ratio (OR) = 1.079, P < 0.001], BMI (OR = 1.016, P = 0.002), and diastolic pressure (OR = 1.003, P = 0.048) levels as independent risk factors, with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) being observed as a protective factor (OR = 0.837, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

H. pylori infection correlates with older age, obesity, elevated glucose levels, and elevated diastolic blood pressure, whereas HDL protects against H. pylori infection, thus underscoring its role in metabolic disturbances and MASLD.

Keywords: Helicobacter pylori; Obesity; Blood glucose; Lipid profile; Blood pressure; Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease

Core Tip: This large cross-sectional study involving 28624 adults revealed that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is correlated with metabolic disturbances, particularly in obese and older individuals. H. pylori-positive individuals exhibited elevated blood glucose, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and blood pressure levels, with worse metabolic profiles being observed in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). High blood glucose, body mass index, and diastolic pressure levels were identified as significant risk factors for H. pylori infection, whereas high-density lipoprotein was observed to be a protective factor. These findings suggest that H. pylori infection may contribute to metabolic disorders and MASLD progression, thereby offering insights for future research and prevention strategies.