<i>Helicobacter pylori </i>Infection and High-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Japanese Women: the JMS Cohort Study / General Medicine

ABSTRACT

<b>Background:</b> <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> (<i>H. pylori</i>) infection has been reported to be associated with cardiovascular risk factors by inducing chronic low-grade inflammation and by influencing endocrine and metabolic systems, as well as the immunological response evoked by the host. This study investigated the association between <i>H. pylori</i> infection and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in Japanese subjects.<br><b>Methods:</b> The study subjects were 2,632 (1,061 men and 1,571 women) living in rural areas in Japan. We checked <i>H. pylori</i> serum immunoglobulin G (IgG), HDL-C and other cardiovascular risk factors in 1999.<br><b>Results:</b> The overall prevalence of <i>H. pylori</i> seropositivity was 53.5% and increased with age. The prevalence was higher among men (58.3%) than women (50.3%). <i>H. pylori</i> seropositive women were more associated with decreased HDL-C than seronegative subjects (58.1±13.6 vs. 60.5±14.7, p<0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis with <i>H. pylori</i> seropositivity, age, body mass index (BMI), fibrinogen, blood glucose, and smoking and alcohol habits demonstrated that <i>H. pylori</i> seropositivity was a significant predictor of decreased HDL-C in women. In addition, there was a linear decrease in HDL-C with increments in the value of <i>H. pylori</i> antibody titer as a continuous variable in women. This association remained in <i>H. pylori</i> seropositive women aged ≥50 years. Moreover, <i>H. pylori</i> seropositive women with BMI <22 were associated with decreased HDL-C, whereas the association was not significant in women with BMI ≥22.<br><b>Conclusions:</b> We show that <i>H. pylori</i> seropositivity is associated with decreased HDL-C, especially in women with a lower BMI in rural areas of Japan.