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Is There Any Relationship Between Helicobacter pylori and Obesity, Metabolic Syndrome, and Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease?

  • Metabolism in Tropical Medicine (K Schlosser-Montes, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

To determine if there is a relationship between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and metabolic disorders such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Recent Findings

H. pylori is a bacterium that affects almost 50% of the world population. New information shows that it may have a relationship with metabolic disorders. This relationship might be induced by regulation of adipokines and hormones, chronic inflammation, and insulin resistance. Contrasting, there has been reported weight gain after the eradication treatment.

Summary

There is a strong relationship between H. pylori and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a less obvious relationship with obesity, and probably no relationship with metabolic syndrome. H. pylori–positive patients should be screened for obesity at the time of diagnosis. Eradication treatment must be done to avoid medical complications, and weight gain should be monitored. Early treatment of H. pylori infection may reduce the risk of NAFLD. Future studies should investigate a causal relationship between H. pylori and metabolic disorders.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Clinical Nutrition, Universidad Francisco Marroquin, Metclinic Nutrition, Guatemala city, Guatemala

    Rebeca Hernandez Lemus

  2. Gastroenterology Gastro Group Guatemala, Guatemala city, Guatemala

    Alejandro Hernandez Monroy

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  1. Rebeca Hernandez Lemus
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Correspondence to Rebeca Hernandez Lemus.

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Hernandez Lemus, R., Hernandez Monroy, A. Is There Any Relationship Between Helicobacter pylori and Obesity, Metabolic Syndrome, and Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease?. Curr Trop Med Rep 8, 212–217 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40475-021-00240-7

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