Relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: What should we expect from a meta-analysis?. Issue 31 (6th August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wei, Lin; Ding, Hui-Guo
• Other Names: Găman. Mihnea-Alexandru section editor.
• Is Part Of: Medicine. Volume 100:Issue 31(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-08-06
• Subjects: Helicobacter pylori -- meta-analysis -- nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine -- Périodiques; Geneeskunde; Medicine; Periodicals; Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000026706
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-7974

Abstract

Abstract: Background: The relationship between Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori ) infection and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a matter of debate. Although it has been studied in many observational studies, the results remain controversial. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to assess the association between H pylori infection and risk of NAFLD. Methods: We searched Pubmed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases, from inception to September 10, 2020. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were pooled by random-effects model. The statistical heterogeneity among studies (I 2 -index), subgroup analyses, regression analyses, sensitivity analysis and the possibility of publication bias were assessed. Results: A total of seventeen studies involving 91, 958 individuals were included in our meta-analysis. Meta-analysis of data from cross-sectional and case-control studies showed that H pylori infection was associated with increased risk of prevalent NAFLD (n = 15; involving 74, 561 middle-aged individuals; OR1.38, 95% CI 1.23–1.55, I 2 = 86.8%, P < .001). The results of meta-regression implicated that the study type and the case-control ratio impacted the total effect size. Funnel plot did not show significant publication bias. Meta-analysis of data from longitudinal studies showed that H pylori infection was also associated with increased NAFLD incidence (n = 2; involving 17397 individuals; OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.01–1.44, I 2 = 6.5%, P = .301). Conclusions: The results indicated that a positive association between H pylori infection and the risk of NAFLD. Further studies are required to strengthen the association and clarify the mechanism.