Association between helicobacter pylori eradication and weight gain

Background: Helicobacter Pylori is a common infection highly prevalent globally causing chronic gastritis, duodenal ulcer and gastric carcinoma. It is observed clinically that patients who underwent therapy for eradication of H Pylori developed weight gain. Objective of this study was to evaluate the association between weight gain and eradication of H pylori infection

---

Method: For this observational cross sectional study, 137 patients were studied after confirmation of diagnosis of H pylori. Base line data at the beginning of the study and comparison between pre- treatment and post treatment outcomes were assessed after 3 months of follow up

---

Result: After eradication therapy, a difference in body weight was evident from pre-treatment mean body weight of 61.7+/-12.3 kg to 62.5+/-11.2 Kg [P=0.011]. An increase in BMI was recorded from pretreatment BMI of 23.24 +/-2.1Kg/m[2] to 26.4+/-3.8 Kg/m[2] [P=0.028]. The assessment of symptoms was performed by applying Mann-Whitney U test of significance; score of symptoms showed a decline in intensity after eradication therapy. Mean score of dyspepsia decreased from 2.65 to 1.02 with a P value of 0.024, mean score of epigastric pain from 2.73 to 1.14 [P=0.041], mean upper abdomen fullness from 2.49 to 0.35[P=0.021]. A decrease in heart burn was noted 3.46 vs 0.92 [P=0.003] and loss of appetite was less severe; 2.89 vs 0.58 [P=0.011]

---

Conclusion: The eradication of H Pylori, after 3 months of treatment, is associated with mild weight gain