title: Association between Helicobacter pylori Seropositivity and the Coronary Artery Calcium Score in a Screening Population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Helicobacter pylori causes numerous extragastric manifestations, including coronary heart disease. The coronary artery calcification (CAC) score, measured using computed tomography (CT) has been used as a screening test for coronary atherosclerosis. This study investigated the association between H. pylori seropositivity and CAC scores in a screening population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients who underwent a health checkup between October 2003 and July 2007 and who did not have a history of ischemic heart disease were enrolled in the study. Subjects were screened with a multidetector CT scan to determine the CAC score and for anti-H. pylori antibody immunoglobulin G; traditional risks for coronary heart disease were evaluated using a structured questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, and laboratory tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 2,029 subjects enrolled (1,295 males), 1,214 (59.8%) subjects were H. pylori positive and 815 were H. pylori negative. There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics of the seropositive and seronegative patients. When the CAC presence or absence scores were considered, multivariate analysis revealed that H. pylori seropositivity was statistically associated with the presence of CAC and that this association was stronger in the mild CAC score category.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  H. pylori seropositive patients are at a higher risk for coronary atherosclerosis regardless of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. This association is particularly applicable for early coronary atherosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Healthcare Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital Healthcare System Gangnam Center, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Min Jung
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Seung Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Donghee
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Seung Joo
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Su Jin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Su Yeon
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Dae Hyun
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Seon Hee
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Young Sun
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jeong Yoon
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Yim
authors.forename: Joo Sung
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyun Chae
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Jung