title: Clinical and biochemical parameters related to cardiovascular disease after Helicobacter pylori eradication.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Since the major established risk factors explain the pathogenesis of ischemic heart disease (IHD) in a proportion of cases, it is crucial to search for other causal mechanisms. The possible link between IHD and Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) infection has been reported. However, the precise mechanism of this potential relationship, by a proinflammatory activity or metabolic disorder, is unclear. In order to investigate this issue, the authors assessed changes in clinical and biochemical parameters related to IHD after bacterial eradication.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 496 patients (281 males; mean age 59.7+/-2.3) with H.pylori-positive dyspepsia and/or peptic ulcer were studied after cure of the bacterium. H.pylori status was determined by histology or 13C-urea breath testing. Examinations for body mass index, diastolic blood pressure and blood testing (C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting glucose) were performed before eradication and annually for up to five years thereafter. For statistical analyses, the Student's t test was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HDL-C increased (P=0.02) while C-reactive protein and fibrinogen levels diminished (P<0.0001) significantly. BMI and diastolic blood pressure increased in a significant (P=0.032 and P=0.039 respectively) manner compared to baseline.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  H.pylori eradication is associated with modification of some clinical and biochemical parameters related to IHD during a follow-up of five years. There is a need for large interventional randomized studies in order to prove a causal association.
authors.affiliation: Gastro-Hepatology Unit, S. Giovanni Battista (Molinette) Hospital, Turin, Italy. rinaldo_pellican@hotmail.com
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pellicano
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Oliaro
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fagoonee
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Astegiano
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berrutti
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Saracco
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Smedile
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Repici
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Leone
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Castelli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Luigiano
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fadda
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rizzetto
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001944:Breath Tests; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012074:Remission Induction; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D005340:Fibrinogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein