Helicobacter pylori infection and allergic diseases: epidemiological study in Japanese university students.
OBJECTIVE
A negative association between Helicobacter pylori infection and allergic diseases has not been consistent. The aim of this study was to examine the association between allergic diseases and H. pylori infection in Japan.


METHODS
Newly enrolled university students completed health survey questionnaires regarding general health and the presence of allergic diseases. Helicobacter pylori status was determined by the presence of serum H. pylori IgG and the presence of allergic manifestations was confirmed by interview.


RESULTS
A total of 1953 students had a routine health survey; H. pylori status was determined in 777 including 369 with allergic diseases and 408 controls. The reported frequency of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis, urticaria, bronchial asthma and mixed diseases was 29.0%, 11.1%, 2.0%, 0.9% and 5.0%, respectively. Helicobacter pylori infection was diagnosed less frequently in the allergic group compared with controls (11.4% vs 17.6%, P = 0.015). Helicobacter pylori infection was less frequent in men with allergic diseases (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.27-0.89).


CONCLUSIONS
Allergic diseases are frequent in young Japanese adults and are negatively associated with H. pylori infection especially in men.
Shiotani
Akiko
A
Department of Internal Medicine, Kawasaki Medical School, Okayama, Japan. shiotani@med.kawasaki-m.ac.jp
Miyanishi
Teruo
T
Kamada
Tomoari
T
Haruma
Ken
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000382:microbiology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000208:ethnology*; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data