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Obesity rate inversely correlated with prevalence of H. pylori
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An inverse correlation between the prevalence rates of Helicobacter pylori and obesity in developed nations could explain the Western obesity endemic, according to recent study data.
In an effort to explicate the association between H. pylori and the prevalence of overweight and obese individuals in developed countries, Gerald J. Holtmann, MD, PhD, department of gastroenterology and hepatology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Australia, and colleagues analyzed 49 studies reporting data on H. pylori and obesity prevalence between 1990 and 2012 from 10 European countries, Japan, the United States and Australia.
Gerald J. Holtmann
Each study included random population samples, including at least 100 patients, yielding a pooled sample of 99,463 patients. The researchers found significantly different H. pylori prevalence rates by country, with the lowest in Australia at 15.1%, the highest in Portugal at 85%, and a pooled mean rate of 44.1% (range, 17%-75%). Varying prevalence rates also were observed for overweight (mean, 51.9%; range, 22.4%-66.9%) and obesity (mean, 16.2%; range, 2.2%-33.9%). The study’s key finding was an inverse correlation between H. pylori and obesity and overweight prevalence (r=–0.46, P<.01 and r=–0.292, P<.05, respectively). The correlation was similar after adjusting for gross domestic product per capita and obesity or overweight (r=–0.291, P<.05 and r=–0.352, P<.02). Researchers also found an inverse relationship between H. pylori prevalence and GDP per capita (r=–0.387; P<.01).
“There is obviously an association between the colonization of the stomach with H. pylori and the prevalence of obesity,” Holtmann told Healio.com/Gastroenterology. “H. pylori influences the regulation of a number of hormones that influence directly or indirectly the regulation of digestion and food intake, such as ghrelin or somatostatin. This could explain why many patients observe a weight gain after H. pylori eradication. Clinicians and patients should be aware of this and probably monitor body weight to adjust caloric intake or physical activity if weight gain occurs after eradication therapy.”
“Our data demonstrate that the prevalence of gastric H. pylori colonization in various countries is inversely related to the prevalence of obesity,” the researchers concluded. “The obesity endemic observed in the Western world thus may partly be linked to a reduction of the prevalence of H. pylori.”
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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