title: Helicobacter Pylori Infection is Positively Associated with Metabolic Syndrome in Taiwanese Adults: a Cross-Sectional Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Helicobacter pylori infection and metabolic syndrome have been reported to be positively associated. However, only a few studies have focused on this issue, and H. pylori serum antigen was used to diagnose infection in most of them. We aimed to investigate the association between metabolic syndrome factors and H. pylori infection, as diagnosed via a (13)C-urea breath test.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study consisted of 3578 subjects (18-64 years old) enrolled from one health management center between 2008 and 2013. H. pylori infection was defined as a positive urea breath test. The risk of metabolic syndrome from H. pylori infection was assessed using a multiple logistic regression model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of the H. pylori was similar in both genders (20.6% in men and 19.7% in women). H. pylori -infected participants had significantly higher body mass index, fasting glucose, low-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides, and lower high-density lipoprotein (p < 0.05), than uninfected ones (p < 0.05). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was higher in H. pylori -infected subjects than uninfected ones (men: 12.4% vs. 7.4%, p < 0.001; women: 7.4% vs. 2.5%, p < 0.001). Furthermore, H. pylori infection prevalence increased with metabolic score (P for trend <0.001, both sexes). Moreover, the association between metabolic syndrome and UBT positivity was significant in females (OR 1.91, 95% CI:1.03-3.53), but only borderline significant in males (OR 1.38, 95% CI: 0.97-1.95).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  H. pylori infection is positively associated with metabolic syndrome, especially in females. The causal relationship between H. pylori infection and metabolic syndrome warrants further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community and Family Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsinchu Branch, Hsinchu City, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Tsung-Po
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Community and Family Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsinchu Branch, Hsinchu City, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hui-Fang
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.affiliation: Department of Community and Family Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsinchu Branch, Hsinchu City, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Meng-Kan
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Community and Family Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsinchu Branch, Hsinchu City, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ho-Hsien
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsinchu Branch, Hsinchu City, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Wen-Feng
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Kuo-Chin
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Community and Family Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsinchu Branch, Hsinchu City, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Kuen-Cheh
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D001944:Breath Tests; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000378:metabolism; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000378:metabolism; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D014508:Urea / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D014508:Urea
keywords: 13C-urea breath test; H. pylori infection; screening