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Overweight and Helicobacter pylori infection: a correlation in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease
Xu Chen1, Jiayue Fu2,3, Kejia Jin3,4
1Department of Medical Care Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
Background:
Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has recently replaced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as a term that more accurately describes its pathogenesis. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a bacterium that infects over half the world's population, has been increasingly linked to various extragastric diseases. However, the impact of H. pylori on MAFLD in the Chinese population remains unexplored.
Methods:
A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted, encompassing 5619 participants from the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, spanning from April 2016 to August 2017. Detection of H. pylori was achieved through the 13C urea breath test or gastric biopsies with histochemical staining. Fatty liver was primarily diagnosed via ultrasound and assessed alongside metabolic indicators to confirm MAFLD. Logistic regression was utilized to evaluate the association between H. pylori and MAFLD.
Results:
No significant correlation between H. pylori infection and MAFLD was found in the overall population through either univariate (OR=1.136, 95%CI 0.995-1.297, p=0.059) or multivariate logistic regression analysis (OR=1.036, 95%CI 0.877-1.224, p=0.675). However, subgroup analysis revealed a significant association in overweight individuals (BMI ≥ 23 kg/m2) within the MAFLD group (51.2% vs. 35.5%, p=0.002), a pattern not observed in the non-MAFLD group (47.7% vs. 45.4%, p=0.126). This association persisted after adjusting for confounders (OR=1.957, 95%CI 1.176-3.256, p=0.010).
Conclusion:
Overweight individuals with MAFLD have a higher prevalence of H. pylori infection than their lean counterparts. This suggests a detrimental cycle between overweight status and H. pylori infection in MAFLD patients, potentially exacerbating metabolic deterioration. Therefore, eradication of H. pylori infection may have positive implications for reducing the incidence rate of overweight MAFLD.
Insights
Helicobacter pylori infection is linked to metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in overweight Chinese adults. Eradicating H. pylori may help reduce overweight MAFLD incidence.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Gastroenterology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a growing health concern, recently replacing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is widespread and increasingly associated with extragastric conditions.
- The relationship between H. pylori and MAFLD in the Chinese population was previously unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between H. pylori infection and MAFLD in a Chinese cohort.
- To explore potential correlations within specific subgroups, such as overweight individuals.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective cross-sectional study of 5619 participants was conducted.
- H. pylori infection was detected using the 13C urea breath test or gastric biopsies.
- MAFLD diagnosis was based on ultrasound and metabolic indicators, with logistic regression used for analysis.
Main Results:
- No significant overall association was found between H. pylori and MAFLD in the general population.
- Subgroup analysis revealed a significant association in overweight individuals with MAFLD (p=0.002).
- This association in overweight MAFLD patients remained significant after adjusting for confounders (OR=1.957, p=0.010).
Conclusions:
- Overweight individuals with MAFLD exhibit a higher prevalence of H. pylori infection.
- A potential detrimental cycle exists between overweight status, H. pylori infection, and MAFLD progression.
- H. pylori eradication could be a therapeutic strategy to reduce overweight MAFLD incidence.
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