Infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a gram negative bacterium, is the most widespread infection in the world. Prevalence in India is more than 80% in population above 20 years of age. 1 Colonization of gastric mucosa with H. pylori is known to be associated with upper gastrointestinal disorders, including gastric carcinoma and gastric cancer. Altered levels of serum Total Cholesterol (TC), Low Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), triglycerides (TG), High Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) are known risk factors for cardiovascular disease, stroke and metabolic syndrome. 2 hsCRP measurement is now accepted as useful for risk assessment of future cardiovascular events. 3 Some studies suggest that H. pylori infection leads to elevated levels of serum TC, LDL-c, TG and hsCRP and decreased levels of HDL-c. 4-22 This is refuted by other studies. 23-30 The effect of H. pylori infection on serum lipid profile and hsCRP levels remains a matter of debate. Many of ABSTRACT Background: There are reports that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection leads to changes in serum lipid profile and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels, but role of H. pylori in causing increased risk of cardiovascular disease remains a topic of debate. Methods: A case control study was conducted, in subjects without pre-existing atherosclerotic disease. We studied 72 otherwise healthy subjects in the age group of 20 to 60 years. All subjects underwent gastroduodenoscopy and H. pylori infection status was assessed by rapid urease test. Results: There were no statistical differences in serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels or total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratios between cases and controls. However, serum hsCRP (high sensitivity C-reactive protein) levels were significantly higher in cases as compared to controls (P <0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that H. pylori infection does not modify serum lipid levels; however, it leads to a rise in hsCRP, an important risk factor for atherosclerosis. It can be concluded that H. pylori infection may contribute to atherogenesis through the state of chronic inflammation, which is evidenced by elevated hsCRP levels.
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