Clinical and biochemical parameters related to cardiovascular disease after Helicobacter pylori eradication.

AIM: Since the major established risk factors explain the pathogenesis of ischemic heart disease (IHD) in a proportion of cases, it is crucial to search for other causal mechanisms. The possible link between IHD and Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) infection has been reported. However, the precise mechanism of this potential relationship, by a proinflammatory activity or metabolic disorder, is unclear. In order to investigate this issue, the authors assessed changes in clinical and biochemical parameters related to IHD after bacterial eradication.

METHODS

A total of 496 patients (281 males; mean age 59.7+/-2.3) with H.pylori-positive dyspepsia and/or peptic ulcer were studied after cure of the bacterium. H.pylori status was determined by histology or 13C-urea breath testing. Examinations for body mass index, diastolic blood pressure and blood testing (C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting glucose) were performed before eradication and annually for up to five years thereafter. For statistical analyses, the Student's t test was performed.

RESULTS

HDL-C increased (P=0.02) while C-reactive protein and fibrinogen levels diminished (P<0.0001) significantly. BMI and diastolic blood pressure increased in a significant (P=0.032 and P=0.039 respectively) manner compared to baseline.

CONCLUSIONS

H.pylori eradication is associated with modification of some clinical and biochemical parameters related to IHD during a follow-up of five years. There is a need for large interventional randomized studies in order to prove a causal association.