Association between Dietary Habits and Helicobacter pylori Infection among Bahraini Adults

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori) infection is the main bacterial cause of several gastrointestinal disorders. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of H. pylori infection in a population of Bahraini adults seeking care in gastroenterology clinics in a tertiary care hospital in the Kingdom of Bahrain and examine the association between dietary habits and other factors with H. pylori infection. The study is a hospital-based retrospective, cross-sectional analytical study that included 200 participants. H. pylori infection prevalence among the studied group was 55.5%, and it was significantly higher among participants with a high school education or less (44.1%). Among dietary habits, the mean of frequency of green tea, coffee and honey intake was significantly lower among the H. pylori infected participants compared to their non-infected counterparts. H. pylori infection was significantly higher among participants with vitamin D deficiency (63.6%) compared to participants with normal vitamin D (30%) (p = 0.001) and each unit decrease in serum vitamin D was associated with an increased risk of infection by 1.1 times (OR = 1.1; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.18; p < 0.001). The study revealed that high educational levels, consumption of honey, green tea, and coffee, as well as normal serum vitamin D level, were independent protectors against H. pylori infection. Additional studies are needed to estimate the prevalence and predisposing factors of H. pylori infection in the general population.

Vitamin D and Its Association with H. pylori Prevalence and Eradication: A Comprehensive Review

“…Moreover, an inverse linear correlation was established between vitamin D sufficiency and H. pylori infection prevalence, which suggested that adequate vitamin D levels might offer protection against H. pylori [ 26 ]. Furthermore, one study conducted in Bahrain highlighted that, for each unit decrease in serum vitamin D level, the risk of H. pylori infection increases by 1.1 [ 25 ]. In a study conducted on an older population with sarcopenia, an inverse relationship between vitamin D deficiency and H. pylori was proposed, suggesting that H. pylori might actually be the risk factor for vitamin D level decrease [ 28 ].…”

“…Therefore vitamin D intake is probably influencing the prevalence of this particular infection [29]. Among various dietary habits, decreased vitamin D intake has emerged as a possible concern related to H. pylori infection [25]. Vitamin D deficiency, namely serum levels below 20 ng/mL, poses an increased risk for H. pylori infection according to two studies conducted on Turkish and Lebanese adult populations [26,27].…”

The Effects of Nutrition on Chronic Conditions

“…Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is the most common cause of gastritis and other gastrointestinal disorders worldwide. Habbash et al [10] investigated whether there is an association between dietary habits and H. pylori infections among 200 Bahraini adults. The authors found that among H. pylori-infected individuals, the consumption of coffee, green tea, and honey was significantly lower compared to non-infected individuals.…”

“…They also found that vitamin D deficiency was a risk factor for H. pylori infection (OR = 1.1; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.18; p < 0.001). The authors suggested that coffee, green tea, and honey intake might be protective against H. pylori infection [10]. However, given the retrospective, cross-sectional study design, no causal relationship between dietary factors and H. pylori infection could be inferred.…”

Association of dietary inflammatory index with helicobacter pylori infection and mortality among US population

“…H. pylori infection rates are similar between genders, with 42.7% in women and 46.3% in men [ 3 ]. Among the various risk factors, diet has emerged as an important factor influencing H. pylori infection [ 4 , 5 ].…”