Helicobacter pylori infection. Is it a risk factor in the pathogenesis of coronary heart disease?

ABSTRACT

To determine whether H. pylori infection is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, 100 men with myocardial infarction and/or ischaemia [mean age 52.6 +/- 6.9 years] and 100 healthy control subjects matched for age, sex and BMI were included in this study. All patients and control subjects were assessed clinically and by resting electrocardiograms. Fasting venous blood samples were analyzed for H. pylori specific IgG antibodies by ELISA, plasma fibrinogen, serum cholesterol, triglycerides and total leucocytic count. 28% of patients with coronary heart disease were seropositive to H. pylori infection versus 61% seropositive in control group [P < 0.05]. Plasma fibrinogen levels were significantly elevated in seropositive patients and control subjects when compared with seronegative groups [cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels and total leucocytic count]. There was no significant difference in the rates of H. pylori infection between patients with myocardial infarction and patients with angina In conclusion, H. pylori infection was significantly associated with the increased risk of coronary heart disease. This risk can be explained in part by elevated fibrinogen levels in seropositive patients and control subjects: