The relationship between body-mass index and Helicobacter pylori infection: a case-control study

Abstract

Objective: Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the most common infections worldwide. There are different opinions in the literature about the relationship between H. pylori and obesity. In this study, we investigated the relationship between body-mass index (BMI) and H. pylori infection. Material and Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients who underwent endoscopic examinations at Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University Faculty of Medicine Hospital in 2019. The prevalence of H. pylori infection was examined by biopsy. The relationship between BMI and H. pylori infection was analyzed. Results: 51.8% of the cases in our population were positive for H. pylori infection. On histopathological examination, acute and chronic inflammation findings were higher in H. pylori-positive cases compared to H. pylori-negative cases. The prevalence of H. pylori infection was higher in patients with high BMI than those with low BMI. Statistical analysis showed a significant relationship between BMI and the prevalence of H. pylori infection (p