title: Helicobacter pylori: A Possible Risk Factor for Bone Health.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection may cause systemic inflammation and increase the production of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1, and interleukin-6. Unfortunately, bone mineral density also may be affected by these cytokines. This study aimed to evaluate the association between bone mineral density and H. pylori infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study evaluated 1,126 men undergoing a comprehensive health screening in a private Korean screening center. Subjects' sera were tested for H. pylori antibodies (immunoglobulin G) using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and bone mineral densities (g/cm(2)) of the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total femur were obtained using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. To evaluate the difference in bone mineral density according to H. pylori infection status, the adjusted mean bone mineral densities at each site were compared after adjusting for potential confounders, including age, sex, body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, and exercise.
  
  
  RESULTS
  H. pylori infection was associated with a significant decrease in mean lumbar bone mineral density (H. pylori-positive, 1.190 g/cm(2); H. pylori-negative, 1.219 g/cm(2); P=0.006), which was greatest among men who were ≥50 years old (H. pylori-positive, 1.193 g/cm(2); H. pylori-negative, 1.233 g/cm(2); P=0.006). However, no significant association was observed in the bone mineral densities of the total femur and femoral neck.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In men, H. pylori infection was negatively associated with lumbar bone mineral density. This association may be useful in the early detection, prevention, and management of male osteoporosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Yun Hee
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jong Seop
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Gwak
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung Woo
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jung Hyeon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Hyeon
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Healthcare System Gangnam Center, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Cheol Min
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Healthcare System Gangnam Center, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Seung Won
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Healthcare System Gangnam Center, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyuktae
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kwon
keywords: Bone Density; Helicobacter pylori; Osteoporosis