Helicobacter pylori infection and type 1 diabetes mellitus in children

The causal effect of Helicobacter pylori infection on coronary heart disease is mediated by the body mass index: a Mendelian randomization study

The association between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and coronary heart disease (CHD) remains controversial, with an unclear causal link. This study employed bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) method, using H. pylori infection as the exposure, to investigate its causal relationship with CHD diagnosis, prognosis, and potential pathogenesis. H. pylori infection exhibited a causal association with body mass index (BMI) (β = 0.022; 95% CI 0.008-0.036; p = 0.001). Conversely, there was no discernible connection between H. pylori infection and the diagnosis of CHD (OR = 0.991; 95% CI 0.904-1.078; p = 0.842; IEU database; OR = 1.049; 95% CI 0.980-1.118; p = 0.178; FinnGen database) or CHD prognosis (OR = 0.999; 95% CI 0.997-1.001; p = 0.391; IEU database; OR = 1.022; 95% CI 0.922-1.123; p = 0.663; FinnGen database). Reverse MR analysis showed no causal effect of CHD on H. pylori infection. Our findings further support that H. pylori infection exerts a causal effect on CHD incidence, mediated by BMI. Consequently, eradicating or preventing H. pylori infection may provide an indirect clinical benefit for patients with CHD.

A Significant Association between Type 1 Diabetes and Helicobacter pylori Infection: A Meta-Analysis Study

Background and Objectives: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic and serious condition that is characterized by inadequate pancreatic-β-cells' insulin production. The connection between T1DM and Helicobacter pylori infection remains uncertain. This study aimed to conduct a systematic meta-analysis to examine the association between H. pylori infection, hemoglobin A1c levels, and the development of T1DM. Materials and Methods: The initial search identified 451 articles on the association between H. pylori infection and T1DM. Among them, 12 articles had 2797 participants who met the inclusion criteria for an advanced meta-analysis. Results: A significant association was observed between H. pylori infection and T1DM (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.47-2.12, p < 0.0001), with heterogeneity: Tau2 = 0.47; Chi2 = 57.07, df = 11 (p < 0.0001); I2 = 81%. Subgroup analysis showed that H. pylori infection was significantly associated with a longer duration of T1DM and higher hemoglobin A1c levels (p < 0.001 for both) but not with age at T1DM diagnosis (p = 0.306). Conclusions: These findings contribute to the understanding of the association between H. pylori infection and T1DM and highlight the potential role of H. pylori in influencing the duration and glycemic control of diabetes. Therefore, pediatric patients who have longstanding T1DM and poor glycemic control should be screened for H. pylori infection.

Helicobacter pylori-Related Extraintestinal Manifestations—Myth or Reality

It is well documented that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) can cause both gastrointestinal and extraintestinal manifestations. The latter one represents a major burden in terms of diagnosis and treatment. H. pylori-associated systemic subclinical inflammation is mostly responsible for the development of extraintestinal manifestations, and its early eradication might result in preventing all adverse events related to their occurrence. Thus, it was suggested that H. pylori might be associated with iron deficiency anemia, thrombocytopenia (immune thrombocytopenic purpura), Schonlein Henoch purpura, failure to thrive, vitamin B12 deficiency, diabetes mellitus, body mass index, cardiovascular diseases, as well as certain neurological conditions. Nevertheless, studies showed both pros and cons in terms of the role of H. pylori in the development of previously mentioned clinical entity underlining the crucial need for further studies on these topics. Although most of these extraintestinal manifestations occur during adulthood, we must not forget that H. pylori infection is acquired mainly during childhood, and thus its early diagnosis and eradication might represent the cornerstone in the prevention of H. pylori-induced inflammatory status and consequently of all related extraintestinal conditions.

Helicobacter Pylori and Autoimmune Diseases: Involving Multiple Systems

The modern Gastroenterology have witnessed an essential stride since Helicobacter pylori was first found in the stomach and then its pathogenic effect was discovered. According to the researches conducted during the nearly 40 years, it has been found that this bacterium is associated with a natural history of many upper gastrointestinal diseases. Epidemiological data show an increased incidence of autoimmune disorders with or after infection with specific microorganisms. The researches have revealed that H. pylori is a potential trigger of gastric autoimmunity, and it may be associated with other autoimmune diseases, both innate and acquired. This paper reviews the current support or opposition about H. pylori as the role of potential triggers of autoimmune diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune thyroiditis, type 1 diabetes mellitus, autoimmune liver diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, systemic lupus erythematosus, as well as Sjogren’s syndrome, chronic urticaria and psoriasis, and tried to explain the possible mechanisms.