Open AccessHelicobacter pylori infection combined with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease increase the risk of atherosclerosis
Author(s) -
Lo-Yip Yu,
KuangChun Hu,
Chun–Jen Liu,
ChungLieh Hung,
MingJong Bair,
MingJen Chen,
HorngYuan Wang,
Ming–Shiang Wu,
ShinLin Shih,
Chuan-Chuan Liu
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.59
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1536-5964
pISSN - 0025-7974
DOI - 10.1097/md.0000000000014672
Subject(s) - medicine , helicobacter pylori , gastroenterology , odds ratio , fatty liver , nonalcoholic fatty liver disease , disease
Atherosclerosis has severe consequences on human health. Carotid artery plaques are a condition typically caused by atherosclerosis. Previous studies showed that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and Helicobacter pylori ( H pylori ) are risks factors for carotid artery plaque formation. We hypothesize that the combination of NAFLD with H pylori infection increases the risk of carotid artery plaque formation. A total of 4669 subjects aged > 40 years who underwent routine health checkups between January 2006 and December 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. A serial examination, including abdominal ultrasound, carotid artery ultrasound and esophago-gastroduodenoscopy (EGD), and biopsy urease testing, was conducted. In total, 2402 subjects were enrolled. There were no differences in H pylori infection status among patients with or without NAFLD. There was a trend of more participants with both NAFLD and H pylori infection (number [N]=583) presenting carotid artery plaque (N = 187,32.08%) than participants without NAFLD and H pylori infection (N = 589) who presented plaque formation (N = 106, 18.00%). Participants who had both H pylori infection and NAFLD had the highest risk of any carotid artery plaque (odds ratio [OR], 1.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.413–2.636) based on a multivariate logistic regression analysis. This analysis also showed that age >60 years, male sex, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) >130 mg/dL, and H pylori infection were independent risk factors for concomitant NAFLD and carotid artery plaque formation. The combination of H pylori infection and NAFLD increases carotid artery plaque formation. H pylori eradication and NAFLD control may be warranted to prevent carotid artery plaque formation.