Association between Helicobacter pylori infection and arterial stiffness: Results from a large cross-sectional study.

Abstract

BackgroundChronic systemic inflammation is an important causative factor in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. However, the effect of chronic Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection on arterial stiffness, a predictor of cardiovascular events, remains unclear. We evaluated the association between Hp infection and arterial stiffness in asymptomatic healthy individuals.MethodsArterial stiffness was evaluated using the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI). We included subjects who underwent CAVI and anti-Hp IgG antibody evaluations, simultaneously, between March 2013 and July 2017. Demographic characteristics and metabolic and cardiovascular parameters were compared with respect to anti-Hp IgG antibody status. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the effect of Hp-seropositivity and conventional cardiovascular risk factors on arterial stiffness.ResultsOf 2,251 subjects, 1,326 (58.9%) were included in the Hp-seropositive group. Median age (P ConclusionsHp-seropositivity was significantly associated with arterial stiffness. Hp infection may contribute to the development of cardiovascular diseases.