Abstract
Background
Vitamin D deficiency is known to cause increased predisposition to various infectious diseases and the addition of vitamin D to antimicrobial treatment may improve treatment responses. However, the relationship between vitamin D and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) remains to be determined.
Aims
To assess the association between vitamin D deficiency and H. pylori infection.
Methods
This cross-sectional study included patients aged 65 and over, who underwent gastroscopy and had gastric biopsy performed between 2010 and 2017. Of the 441 patients, 254 had available 25-hydroxyvitamin D level results and were included in the analyses. Patients were categorized into H. pylori (+) and H. pylori (−) groups, according to histopathological examination results of gastric biopsies. Serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels less than 20 ng/mL were defined as vitamin D deficiency.
Results
Of all patients, 43 were H. pylori (+) and 211 were H. pylori (−). More patients had vitamin D deficiency (< 20 ng/mL) in the H. pylori (+) group than the H. pylori (−) group (86% vs 67.3%, p = 0.014). The proportion of H. pylori (+) patients decreased across increasing quartiles of 25(OH) vitamin D levels (p for trend = 0.010). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, vitamin D deficiency was associated with increased odds of H. pylori infection after adjustment for age, gender, and Charlson Comorbidity Index (OR = 3.02, 95% CI 1.19–7.69, p = 0.020).
Conclusion
Vitamin D deficiency can be associated with increased risk of H. pylori infection. The potential protective effect of vitamin D against H. pylori infection and its possible role in the treatment of H. pylori should be evaluated in prospective trials.
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This study was approved by institutional ethical board of Ankara University and was conducted in compliance with Declaration of Helsinki.
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Mut Surmeli, D., Surmeli, Z.G., Bahsi, R. et al. Vitamin D deficiency and risk of Helicobacter pylori infection in older adults: a cross-sectional study. Aging Clin Exp Res 31, 985–991 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-018-1039-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-018-1039-1