Prevalence and association of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with metabolic syndrome: A case-control study

Background and objective: Helicobacter pylori infection and metabolic syndrome are two progressive factors noticed in developing countries, but their association is still controversial. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and association of Helicobacter pylori infection in both subjects with and without metabolic syndrome. Methods: A case-control study was conducted at the Ble General Hospital, 658 subjects taken and divided into two groups first those who were diagnosed as metabolic syndrome (328 subjects) and second control group (330 subjects). Helicobacter pylori-specific IgG antibody and some biochemical tests were performed for both groups besides other parameters like blood pressure and BMI. Results: Having metabolic syndrome is associated with a higher probability of having Helicobacter pylori Abs (OR = 1.6; 95% CI = 1.096-2.341). Age group 40-49 years had more probability to have Helicobacter pylori Abs (OR = 2.054; 95% CI = 1.086-3.883). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome reported higher in females (77.4 %). No significant differences were detected between the rapid method and the ELIZA method for the detection of stool Ag (P = 0.921) but differences were significant in the detection of Helicobacter pylori Abs (P <0.001). Conclusion: The study demonstrates that having metabolic syndrome is associated with a higher probability of having Helicobacter pylori Abs compared with the controls. This study also showed immunochromatography is reliable for the detection of Helicobacter pylori stool Ag but not Ab. Keywords: Helicobacter pylori; Metabolic syndrome.