Helicobacter pylori infection and fatty liver disease (results of a pilot study)
DOI: 10.32364/2587-6821-2024-8-5-2
A.V. Belkovets1,2, M.V. Kruchinina1,2, A.V. Galanova1, L.V. Shcherbakova1
1Research Institute of Therapy and Preventive Medicine — Branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the RAS, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation
2Novosibirsk State Medical University, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation
Aim: to examine the characteristics of mixed (metabolic + alcoholic) fatty liver disease (FLD) in relation to Helicobacter pylori infection.
Patients and Methods: the study included 30 men with signs of hepatic steatosis detected by ultrasound. The patients underwent a comprehensive clinical and laboratory examination, which included a detailed history of their drug use, an interview about their gastrointestinal symptoms, their alcohol consumption and smoking habits, a complete blood count, and blood biochemistry. H. pylori infection was diagnosed by one-step immunochromatography to detect specific H. pylori antigens in feces. The criteria of the All-Russian Scientific Society of Cardiologists were applied to diagnose metabolic syndrome (MS). Indirect liver elastometry was performed using the FibroScan® 502 (Echosens, France) to assess the severity of liver fibrosis (in kPa) with rating of fibrosis stage according to the METAVIR score (F0–F4).
Results: MS was identified in 96.7% of patients. Systematic alcohol consumption, defined as consumption of alcohol at least once a week, was common (87%) in these patients. The mean single dose was 103.1±62.86 g, and the mean weekly dose was 211.0±133.8 g (pure ethanol). H. pylori infection was detected in 56.7%. In 18 (60%) patients, liver elastography showed no fibrosis (F0). Stages F1-3 were revealed in 40% of patients, with F1 observed in 26.7%, F2 in 6.7%, and F3 in 6.6%. No significant differences in the parameters were identified based on H. pylori infection status.
Conclusion: all patients exhibited signs of FLD of mixed origin, associated with both metabolic disorders and systematic alcohol consumption. A greater proportion of patients (56.7%) were found to be infected with H. pylori. The analysis of MS manifestations, alcohol consumption style, smoking, liver tests, liver elasticity, and fibrosis stage revealed no significant differences depending on H. pylori infection. This may be due to the relatively small sample size in this pilot study.
Keywords: fatty liver disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, metabolic syndrome, Helicobacter pylori, fibrosis, insulin resistance.
For citation: Belkovets A.V., Kruchinina M.V., Galanova A.V., Shcherbakova L.V. Helicobacter pylori infection and fatty liver disease (results of a pilot study). Russian Medical Inquiry. 2024;8(5):253–259 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2587-6821-2024-8-5-2.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Anna V. Belkovets — Dr. Sc. (Med.), Associate Professor, senior researcher of the Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Research Institute of Therapy and Preventive Medicine — Branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the RAS; 175/1, Boris Bogatkov str., Novosibirsk, 630089, Russian Federation; professor of the Department of Propaedeutics of Internal Medicine, Novosibirsk State Medical University; 52, Krasnyy av., Novosibirsk, 630091, Russian Federation; ORCID iD 0000-0002-2610-1323.
Margarita V. Kruchinina — Dr. Sc. (Med.), Associate Professor, leading researcher, Head of the Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Research Institute of Therapy and Preventive Medicine — Branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the RAS; 175/1, Boris Bogatkov str., Novosibirsk, 630089, Russian Federation; professor of the Department of Propaedeutics of Internal Medicine, Novosibirsk State Medical University; 52, Krasnyy av., Novosibirsk, 630091, Russian Federation; ORCID iD 0000-0003-0077-3823.
Anastasiya V. Galanova — clinical resident, Research Institute of Therapy and Preventive Medicine — Branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the RAS; 175/1, Boris Bogatkov str., Novosibirsk, 630089, Russian Federation.
Liliya V. Shcherbakova — senior researcher of the Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Research Institute of Therapy and Preventive Medicine — Branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the RAS; 175/1, Boris Bogatkov str., Novosibirsk, 630089, Russian Federation; ORCID iD 0000-0001-9270-9188.
Contact information: Anna V. Belkovets, e-mail: abelkovets@bk.ru.
Financial Disclosure: the work was conducted under the auspices of the State assignment within the framework of the budget themes "Study of molecular-genetic and molecular-biological mechanisms of development of common therapeutic diseases in Siberia to improve approaches to their early diagnosis and prevention,” 2024–2028 (FWNR-2024-0004). FWNR-2024-0004, "Improvement of Methods of Diagnostics, Prevention, and Treatment of Patients with Common Diseases of the Hepatobiliary System and Gastrointestinal Tract in Siberia" (FWNR-2024-0004). (FWNR-2024-0004), "Improvement of diagnostic methods, prevention, and treatment of patients with common diseases of the hepatobiliary system and gastrointestinal tract in Siberia", 2023-2025, FWNR-2023-0003.
There is no conflict of interest.
Received 14.03.2024.
Revised 08.04.2024.
Accepted 02.05.2024.
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