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Helicobacter pylori infection and gastroesophageal reflux in a population-based study (The HUNT Study).
- Source :
-
Helicobacter [Helicobacter] 2007 Feb; Vol. 12 (1), pp. 16-22. - Publication Year :
- 2007
-
Abstract
- Background and Aim: It has been suggested that Helicobacter pylori infection may prevent gastroesophageal reflux, possibly through gastric atrophy. Since, however, previous results are contradictory and no population-based studies are available, the relationship between H. pylori and reflux remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate this relationship in a population-based, nested, case-control study.<br />Methods: From a cohort of 65,363 individuals, representing 71.2% of the adult population in the Norwegian county of Nord-Trondelag, we randomly selected 472 persons with recurrent reflux symptoms (cases) and 472 without such symptoms (controls). Occurrence of H. pylori and its virulence factor cagA was determined serologically, using an immunoblot assay. Gastric atrophy was assessed through serum levels of pepsinogen I. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), adjusted for potential confounding factors, represented relative risks.<br />Results: H. pylori infection was not associated with a decreased risk of reflux symptoms (OR 1.1, 95% CI 0.8-1.6), irrespective of positive cagA status (OR 1.1, 95% CI 0.8-1.5). Gastric atrophy reduced the risk of reflux symptoms (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.0-0.6). Infection with H. pylori entailed a ninefold increase in the risk of gastric atrophy compared to non-infection (OR 8.9, 95% CI 2.0-39.9).<br />Conclusions: H. pylori infection, irrespective of cagA status, did not affect the occurrence of reflux symptoms in this population-based setting. Infected individuals are at increased risk of gastric atrophy, which in turn reduces reflux symptoms, but due to the low frequency of gastric atrophy among infected individuals overall, there was no association with reflux symptoms on a population level.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Antigens, Bacterial immunology
Atrophy etiology
Atrophy pathology
Bacterial Proteins immunology
Case-Control Studies
Cohort Studies
Female
Gastric Mucosa pathology
Gastroesophageal Reflux pathology
Helicobacter Infections blood
Helicobacter Infections complications
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Norway epidemiology
Pepsinogen A blood
Risk Factors
Seroepidemiologic Studies
Surveys and Questionnaires
Antibodies, Bacterial blood
Gastroesophageal Reflux epidemiology
Helicobacter Infections epidemiology
Helicobacter pylori immunology
Immunoglobulin G blood
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1083-4389
- Volume :
- 12
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Helicobacter
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 17241296
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-5378.2007.00466.x