Sex differences in the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection: an individual participant data pooled analysis (StoP Project)

Abstract

Background Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is more frequent among men, though the magnitude of the association might be inaccurate due to potential misclassification of lifetime infection and publication bias. Moreover, infection is common, and most studies are cross-sectional. Thus, prevalence ratios (PRs) may be easier to interpret than odds ratios (ORs). Aim The aim of this study was to quantify the association between sex and H. pylori infection using controls from 14 studies from the Stomach Cancer Pooling (StoP) Project. Participants and methods H. pylori infection was defined based on IgG serum antibody titers or multiplex serology. Participants were also classified as infected if gastric atrophy was present, based on histological examination or serum pepsinogen (PG) levels (PG I≤70 and PG I/II ratio≤3). Summary ORs and PRs, adjusted for age, social class and smoking, and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs), were estimated through random-effects meta-analysis. Results Men had significantly higher OR (OR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.04–1.70) and PR (PR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.00–1.10) of infection, with stronger associations among hospital-based or older controls. Results were similar when considering the presence of gastric atrophy to define infection status, particularly among participants older than 65 years. Conclusion This collaborative pooled-analysis supports an independent effect of sex on the prevalence of H. pylori infection, while minimizing misclassification of lifetime infection status and publication bias.

Exploring the interactions between Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection and other risk factors of gastric cancer: A pooled analysis in the Stomach cancer Pooling (StoP) Project

“…All Hp positive subjects were diagnosed through ELISA (enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay) and a subset of them were distinguished by strain (cytotoxin‐associated gene A [Cag‐A]+ or Cag‐A−). The data had already been harmonized for previous analyses at the StoP Data Center at the University of Milan, Italy 13‐16 . Detailed information about collection and harmonization of data in the StoP consortium is given elsewhere 5 …”

“…The data had already been harmonized for previous analyses at the StoP Data Center at the University of Milan, Italy. [13][14][15][16] Detailed information about collection and harmonization of data in the StoP consortium is given elsewhere. 5…”

Potential Predictors and Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori Infection Among Adult Patients With Dyspepsia: A Retrospective Study From Qatar

“…Our results showed that gender has no significant influence on H. pylori infection, whereas age below 65 years has a positive association with H. pylori infection. In contrast, a meta-analysis by Ana Ferro reported that men had a significantly higher odds ratio and prevalence ratio of H. pylori infection compared to women [29]. Past published studies have shown a significant association between age and H. pylori infection [30][31].…”

Red cell distribution width, anemia and their associations with white matter integrity among middle-aged urban adults

“…H. pylori infection) (Haile and Timerga, 2021). In fact, H. pylori infection is more prevalent and can lead to atrophic gastritis to a greater extent among men than among women (Ferro et al, 2019) and was shown recently to be associated with incident AD mostly among men (Beydoun et al, 2018). Nevertheless, more studies are needed to examine those complex relationships.…”