Effects of Helicobacter pylori Infection and Its Eradication on Lipid Profiles and Cardiovascular Diseases

Abstract Background We aimed to examine the relationship of current Helicobacter pylori infection with lipid profile and cardiovascular disease and its eradication effect. Methods Healthy subjects, who underwent routine checkup between October 2003 and December 2007, were followed up until June 2009. Helicobacter pylori and lipid profiles were measured both baseline and follow‐up. Multiple logistic regression models for odds ratios ( OR s) and 95% confidence intervals ( CI s) were used to estimate the effects of H. pylori infection and its eradication, on lipids and cardiovascular disease. Results Current infection with H. pylori with 50.5% (6759/13383) at baseline increased low‐density lipoprotein ( LDL ) and decreased high‐density lipoprotein ( HDL ) than H. pylori ‐negative group. Successful eradication of H. pylori decreased the risk of high LDL compared with the persistent infection ( OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.59–96), which was comparable to that of the persistent negative group ( OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.70–0.97), and decreased the risk of low HDL ( OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.49–0.96). Current infection of H. pylori increased the risk of cardiovascular disease ( OR 3.27, 95% CI 1.31–8.14) at baseline, but its eradication failed to decrease the risk at a 2‐year follow‐up. However, persistent negative infection decreased the risk ( OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.35–0.94) comparing to persistent positive infection at follow‐up. Conclusions Current infection with H. pylori had a positive association with high LDL , low HDL , and cardiovascular disease. Successful H. pylori eradication decreased the risk of high LDL and low HDL , but did not reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.