ABSTRACT
Objectives: To investigate the relationship between helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection and carotid intima thickness. Methods: We searched the databases of Pubmed, Embase, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang for published studies on the relationship between Hp infection and carotid intima thickness in China and abroad. 2 reviewers independently identified and enrolled the articles, extracted specific data and assessed the quality of reference by Jadad scale. Meta-analysis was conducted by Stata 12.0 Software. Results: A total of 9 case-control studies were enrolled, all the reference quality scores≥4 which included 694 subjects with Hp positive and 676 with Hp negative. Meta-analysis indicated that carotid intima thickness was higher in Hp positive subjects than Hp negative subjects, standard mean difference (SMD)=0.803, 95% CI(0.686-0.919), P<0.05. Age related study presented that carotid intima thickness was higher in Hp positive subjects than Hp negative subjects at the age≥60 years'population, SMD=1.296, 95%CI (1.125-1.467), P<0.05; carotid intima thickness was also higher in Hp positive subjects than Hp negative subjects at the age<60 years'population, SMD=0.379, 95%CI (0.220-0.537), P<0.05. Conclusions: Hp infection has been related to the thickness of carotid intima and it could make carotid artery intima thickening.