Relation of adult lifestyle and socioeconomic factors to the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection.
BACKGROUND
The influence of adult socioeconomic status, co-habitation, gender, smoking, coffee and alcohol intake on risk of Helicobacter pylori infection is uncertain.


METHODS
Subjects between aged 40-49 years were randomly invited to attend their local primary care centre. Participants were interviewed by a researcher on smoking, coffee and alcohol intake, history of living with a partner, present and childhood socioeconomic conditions. Helicobacter pylori status was determined by 13C-urea breath test.


RESULTS
In all, 32 929 subjects were invited, 8429 (26%) were eligible and 2327 (27.6%) were H. pylori positive. Helicobacter pylori infection was more common in men and this association remained after controlling for childhood and adult risk factors in a logistic regression model (odds ratio [OR] = 1.15; 95% CI: 1.03-1.29). Living with a partner was also an independent risk factor for infection (OR = 1.30; 95% CI: 1.01-1.67), particularly in partners of lower social class (social class IV and V-OR = 1.47; 95% CI: 1.19-1.81, compared with social class I and II). Helicobacter pylori infection was more common in lower social class groups (I and II-22% infected, III-29% infected, IV and V-38% infected) and there was a significant increase in risk of infection in manual workers compared with non-manual workers after controlling for other risk factors (OR = 1.18; 95% CI: 1.03-1.34). Alcohol and coffee intake were not independent risk factors for infection and smoking was only a risk factor in those smoking >35 cigarettes a day.


CONCLUSIONS
Male gender, living with a partner and poor adult socioeconomic conditions are associated with increased risk of H. pylori infection.
Moayyedi
Paul
P
Centre for Digestive Diseases, The General Infirmary at Leeds, UK. paulmo@ulth.northy.nhs.uk
Axon
Anthony T R
AT
Feltbower
Richard
R
Duffett
Sara
S
Crocombe
Will
W
Braunholtz
David
D
Richards
I D Gerald
ID
Dowell
Anthony C
AC
Forman
David
D
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors