Association between Helicobacter pylori infection and triglyceride levels: a nested cross-sectional study

Background: Currently, the available evidence regarding the relationship between the lipid profile and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is limited and conflicting. There is also a dearth of studies that have explored the possibility of sex-specific differences in the association between H. pylori infection and triglyceride levels. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 1,146 participants utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2000 conducted in the United States. A logistic regression model was employed to evaluate the association between H. pylori seropositivity and triglyceride levels. Subgroup analyses stratified by sex were conducted to explore sex-specific differences in this association. Results: Serum triglyceride levels were significantly higher in H. pylori-seropositive participants than in H. pylori-seronegative participants. In the logistic regression analysis, there was a positive correlation between H. pylori seropositivity and triglyceride levels (OR=1.231; 95% CI, 1.016-1.491; P=0.033). In the subgroup analysis, the adjusted association between serum triglycerides and H. pylori seropositivity was significant in females (OR=1.732; 95% CI, 1.113-2.696; P=0.015) but not in males (OR=1.091; 95% CI, 0.698-1.705; P=0.704). Conclusion: The association between high triglyceride levels and H. pylori infection is specific to the female population.

Automated summary

The available evidence regarding the relationship between lipid profile and Helicobacter pylori infection is limited and conflicting. A cross-sectional study using NHANES data found that there is a positive association between H. pylori seropositivity and triglyceride levels, especially in females.