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SYSTEMATIC REVIEW article

Front. Nutr.
Sec. Clinical Nutrition
Volume 11 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1410543
This article is part of the Research Topic Unraveling the Links between Nutrients and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Liver Disease: Insights and Implications View all 13 articles

Bidirectional Relationship Between Helicobacter pylori Infection and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Insights From a Comprehensive Meta-Analysis

Provisionally accepted
Daya Zhang Daya Zhang 1Feihu Bai Feihu Bai 2*
  • 1 Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan Province, China
  • 2 Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represent significant concerns in global health. However, the precise relationship between H. pylori and NAFLD remains a subject of ongoing debate. This study endeavors to elucidate the association between H. pylori infection and the susceptibility to NAFLD. Furthermore, we aim to investigate the interplay among H. pylori infection, NAFLD, and metabolic syndrome (MetS).We conducted an extensive search of the PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases spanning from inception to January 2024. Our examination focused on rigorous studies investigating the correlation between H. pylori infection and NAFLD. Utilizing a random-effects model, we computed the pooled odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI).Additionally, we assessed statistical heterogeneity, performed sensitivity analyses, and scrutinized the potential for publication bias.Results: Thirty-four studies involving 175,575 individuals were included in our meta-analysis. Among these, 14 studies (involving 94,950 patients) demonstrated a higher incidence of NAFLD in H. pylori infection-positive individuals compared to H. pylori infection-negative individuals [RR=1.17, 95%CI (1.10, 1.24), Z=4.897, P<0.001]. Seventeen studies (involving 74,928 patients) indicated a higher positive rate of H. pylori infection in patients with NAFLD compared to those without NAFLD [RR=1.13, 95%CI (1.02, 1.24), Z=2.395, P=0.017]. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these findings, and funnel plot analysis revealed no significant publication bias. Furthermore, we observed associations between H. pylori infection or NAFLD and various metabolic factors, including body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, lipids, liver function, and kidney function.Our meta-analysis presents evidence supporting a reciprocal relationship between H. pylori infection and the susceptibility to NAFLD. Nevertheless, additional investigations are warranted to bolster this correlation and unravel the underlying mechanisms involved.

    Keywords: Helicobacter pylori, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, Meta-analysis, metabolic syndrome, Incidence, Risk factors

    Received: 01 Apr 2024; Accepted: 09 Jul 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Zhang and Bai. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Feihu Bai, Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.