Patterns of alcohol consumption and Helicobacter pylori infection: results of a population-based study from Germany among 6545 adults

Background: Moderate alcohol consumption has been suggested to facilitate elimination of Helicobacter pylori infection. Aim: To investigate the relationship between alcohol consumption and infection with H. pylori, with particular consideration of the role of age, different alcoholic beverages and specific drinking habits. Methods: These issues were addressed in the German National Health Survey, conducted in a representative population sample between October 1997 and March 1999. Overall, 6545 subjects provided data on frequency and average amount of different alcoholic beverages consumed. H. pylori infection status was measured by serum immunoglobulin G antibodies. Results: Seroprevalence of the infection was highest among subjects who reported drinking no alcohol (49.3%) and lowest among subjects consuming 25-50 g alcohol/day (35.2%, adjusted odds ratio = 0.60, 95% confidence interval: 0.48-0.75). This inverse association was consistently seen for different alcoholic beverages and in all age groups and it was particularly pronounced among women and among regular but moderate drinkers. There was also an inverse dose-response relationship between the frequency of alcohol consumption and H. pylori infection. Conclusions: This analysis supports suggestions that regular but moderate consumption of alcohol from various sources may facilitate elimination of H. pylori infection.