Impact of Helicobacter pylori Infection on Serum Lipid Profile and Atherosclerosis of Carotid Artery

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection has been suggested to be associated with atherosclerosis. The issue is still controversial. It is well known that abnormal lipid profile is related to atherosclerosis and measurement of carotid intima-media thickness. Aim of the study: to investigate carotid intima-media thickness and lipid parameters in H. pylori-positive and -negative subjects. Materials & Methods: This study was conducted in Kurdistan Teaching center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (KCGH) in Sulaimani city during the period of December 2012 to March 2014. One hundred dyspeptic patients with H. pylori infection and 74 apparently healthy asymptomatic volunteers with H. pylori-negative tests were enrolled in this study. Both groups were comparable in age distribution and gender. H. pylori infection (IgG & IgA) were assessed by ELISA tests, Triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations were measured by routine enzymatic methods using commercial kits. Carotid intima-media thickness was assessed by high-resolution ultrasound. Results: The mean and maximum values of internal and common carotid intima-media thickness in H. pylori-positive subjects were significantly thicker than in H. pylori-negative subjects (p < 0.05). HDL-C level was lower in patients (H. pylori seropositive) than in controls (seronegative subjects), total cholesterol, LDL-C and triglyceride level were found to be higher in patients than in controls (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Carotid intima-media thickness as well as all lipid values apart from HDL-C was increased in H. pylori-positive subjects. These data indicated that H. pylori infection may had a role in atherosclerotic process.