Helicobacter pylori Infection in Patients with Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is postulated to predispose Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) through alteration of lipid profile, reduction of adiponectin, insulin resistance, etc. In the setting of increased incidence of NAFLD, the possible therapeutic and preventive implications of an association of H. pylori infection with NAFLD holds interest.

Aim: To determine the prevalence of H. pylori infection among NAFLD patients and its association with severity of NAFLD.

Materials and Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Imphal, Manipur, India, during July 2019 to December 2021 among 197 patients diagnosed with NAFLD. H. pylori infection was diagnosed by H. pylori specific anti-Immunoglobulin M (IgM) and anti-IgG antibody tests. Descriptive statistics like proportions, mean and Standard Deviation (SD) were used. Chi-square test was used to check for associations of disease severity with H. pylori infection.

Results: The study population included 90 females and 107 males. A total of 121 (61.4%) subjects had grade 1 fatty liver, while 46 (23.4%) had grade 2 fatty liver and 30 (15.2%) had grade 3 fatty liver. A total of 125 (63.45%) were H. pylori IgG positive. H. pylori infection positively associated with disease grade, Chronic Liver Disease (CLD) and decompensation (p-value <0.001).

Conclusion: The prevalence of H. pylori infection in patients with NAFLD was 63.45% and H. pylori seropositivity was significantly associated with disease severity.