The Relationship Between Arterial Stiffness and Helicobacter Pylori Infection

Aim:Studies have found the association of Helicobacter Pylori (Hp) seropositivity with cardiovascular diseases and it has been shown that chronic inflammation with Hp may be related to early atherosclerosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between Hp positivity detected by endoscopic gastric biopsy and arterial stiffness. Material and Method: In this cross-sectional study, patients were divided into 2 groups as Hp positive (n=48) and Hp negative (n=61) according to endoscopic gastric biopsy findings. Augmentation index, arterial stiffness and central blood pressure were measured using Pulse wave velocity analysis/Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in all patients. Results: Augmentation index was significantly higher in the Hp positive group (p=0.020). There was no correlation between central blood pressure and augmentation index and the intensity of Hp colonization (p=0.070, r=0.263). However, logistic regression analysis revealed that positive Hp (OR: 3.593, 95%CI: 1.341-9,629, p=0.011) was the only variable predictive for an augmentation index > 24.9 among variables including, age, BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, central blood pressure, glucose, creatinine, total cholesterol, C-reactive protein, and positive Hp. Conclusion: Helicobacter Pylori positive patients with confirmed biopsy have an increased arterial stiffness. Moreover, presence of Hp infection is predictive for an increased arterial stiffness. Regarding the diversity and frequency of Hp worldwide long term follow up studies with larger sample size are needed to elaborate the mechanism of this relationship.