Korean J Fam Med.  2015 Sep;36(5):239-244. 10.4082/kjfm.2015.36.5.239.

Helicobacter pylori: A Possible Risk Factor for Bone Health

• Chung YH
• Gwak JS
• Hong SW
• Hyeon JH
• Lee CM
• Oh SW
• Kwon H

• KMID: 2235274
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.2015.36.5.239

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection may cause systemic inflammation and increase the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1, and interleukin-6. Unfortunately, bone mineral density also may be affected by these cytokines. This study aimed to evaluate the association between bone mineral density and H. pylori infection.
METHODS
A cross-sectional study evaluated 1,126 men undergoing a comprehensive health screening in a private Korean screening center. Subjects' sera were tested for H. pylori antibodies (immunoglobulin G) using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and bone mineral densities (g/cm2) of the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total femur were obtained using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. To evaluate the difference in bone mineral density according to H. pylori infection status, the adjusted mean bone mineral densities at each site were compared after adjusting for potential confounders, including age, sex, body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, and exercise.
RESULTS
H. pylori infection was associated with a significant decrease in mean lumbar bone mineral density (H. pylori-positive, 1.190 g/cm2; H. pylori-negative, 1.219 g/cm2; P=0.006), which was greatest among men who were > or =50 years old (H. pylori-positive, 1.193 g/cm2; H. pylori-negative, 1.233 g/cm2; P=0.006). However, no significant association was observed in the bone mineral densities of the total femur and femoral neck.
CONCLUSION
In men, H. pylori infection was negatively associated with lumbar bone mineral density. This association may be useful in the early detection, prevention, and management of male osteoporosis.

Keyword

Helicobacter pylori; Osteoporosis; Bone Density

MeSH Terms

Absorptiometry, Photon
Alcohol Drinking
Antibodies
Body Mass Index
Bone Density
Cross-Sectional Studies
Cytokines
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Femur
Femur Neck
Helicobacter pylori*
Helicobacter*
Humans
Inflammation
Interleukin-1
Interleukin-6
Male
Mass Screening
Osteoporosis
Risk Factors*
Smoke
Smoking
Spine
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
Antibodies
Cytokines
Interleukin-1
Interleukin-6
Smoke
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha