Inverse relationship between alcohol consumption and active Helicobacter pylori infection: the Bristol Helicobacter project.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to examine whether smoking or consumption of alcohol or coffee is associated with active Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection.


METHODS
This was a cross-sectional population study conducted as part of a randomized controlled trial of H. pylori infection eradication in southwest England. A total of 10,537 subjects, recruited from seven general practices, underwent 13C-urea breath testing for active infection with H. pylori and provided data on smoking, usual weekly consumption of alcohol, and daily intake of coffee.


RESULTS
Smoking or coffee consumption were not related to active H. pylori infection. Total alcohol consumption was associated with a small, but not statistically significant, decrease in the odds of infection. After adjustment for age, sex, ethnic status, childhood and adult social class, smoking, coffee consumption, and intake of alcoholic beverages other than wine, subjects drinking 3-6 units of wine/wk had an 11% lower risk of H. pylori infection compared with those who took no wine: OR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.80-0.99. Higher wine consumption was associated with a further 6% reduction in the risk of infection: OR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.64-1.07. Intake of 3-6 units of beer (but no greater intake) was associated with a similar reduction in the risk of infection when compared to no beer intake (OR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.75-0.91).


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates that modest consumption of wine and beer (approximately 7 units/wk) protects against H. pylori infection, presumably by facilitating eradication of the organism.
Murray
Liam J
LJ
The Queen's University of Belfast, United Kingdom.
Lane
Athene J
AJ
Harvey
Ian M
IM
Donovan
Jenny L
JL
Nair
Prakash
P
Harvey
Richard F
RF
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D001515:Beer; D001944:Breath Tests / Q000379:methods; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D003069:Coffee; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012907:Smoking; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D014508:Urea / Q000378:metabolism; D014920:Wine
D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D003069:Coffee; D014508:Urea