Influence of Helicobacter pylori infection on metabolic parameters and body composition of dyslipidemic patients

Helicobacter pylori infection may contribute to the development of extra-gastroduodenal diseases. The aim of this study was to explore whether this infection could influence metabolic parameters and body composition of dyslipidemic patients. In an 8-month period, 155 patients attended our clinic; 110 patients (48 men and 62 women, age 35-55 years) fulfilled inclusion criteria. Metabolic parameters were determined by routine tests and body composition by anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance analysis. The H. pylori and CagA infectious status were examined serologically. Sixty-one patients (55.4%) had serum antibodies to H. pylori and 30 infected patients (49.1%) had anti-CagA antibodies. The mean percentage of fat mass and level of high-density protein cholesterol in seropositive patients were significantly lower than those measured in seronegative ones (P = 0.008 and P < 0.001, respectively). The mean glucose concentration in patients with anti-H. pylori serum IgG was significantly higher than in uninfected patients (P = 0.021). No significant difference was observed regarding the other parameters. The CagA status did not influence any of the considered parameters. Our results are in agreement with those of other studies; however, the level of concordance of results reported in the various publications on this topic is very low, presumably from differences concerning the age, alimentary habits and possible presence of different pathologies in the groups studied. The most plausible hypothesis for the observed alterations may exist in the low-grade systemic inflammatory status of infected individuals, which may influence the fat turnover and support the insulin resistance with consequent alteration of glucose metabolism.