"Helicobacter Eradication Therapy Effective in Preventing Coronary Artery Disease"

Seongnam Seoul National University Hospital Professor Kim Nayoung's Team
Greater Preventive Effect in Men Under 65 and Women Over 65

A study has found that Helicobacter eradication therapy is effective in preventing coronary artery disease.

The research team led by Professor Kim Nayoung of the Department of Gastroenterology at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (including gastroenterology specialist Kim Sangbin and cardiology professor Hwang Inchang) announced on the 31st that Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy has a greater preventive effect on coronary artery disease in men aged 65 and under and women aged 65 and over.

Professor Kim Nayoung, Department of Gastroenterology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital; Specialist Kim Sangbin, Department of Gastroenterology; Professor Hwang Inchang, Department of Cardiology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (from left).

The research team conducted a long-term follow-up and observation of the cumulative incidence of coronary artery disease according to whether eradication therapy was performed on 4,765 Helicobacter pylori-infected patients without coronary artery disease among 7,608 patients who underwent gastroscopy at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital from 2003 to 2022.

As a result, in both men and women who received eradication therapy, the cumulative incidence of coronary artery disease in patients whose Helicobacter pylori was eradicated was significantly lower compared to the non-eradication group. In particular, this preventive effect was greater in men aged 65 and under and women aged 65 and over.

Regarding this gender difference, the research team estimated the influence of female hormones (estrogen). Since estrogen enhances immune response to infection and has a vasodilatory effect, the preventive effect of eradication therapy on cardiovascular disease was higher in men aged 65 and under and women aged 65 and over, who have relatively lower estrogen levels.

Trends in the absence of coronary artery disease after Helicobacter eradication therapy in men under 65 years old (left) and women under 65 years old (right). The probability of no coronary artery disease is significantly higher in the Helicobacter eradication group (blue) compared to the non-eradication group (red). [Data provided by Bundang Seoul National University Hospital]

The research team has continuously demonstrated that Helicobacter eradication therapy positively affects the improvement of diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and other conditions that cause various vascular diseases. This study is significant in that it demonstrated that eradication therapy can practically contribute to the prevention of severe cardiovascular diseases induced by metabolic disorders.

Professor Kim Nayoung explained, "Helicobacter pylori is well known as a bacterium that causes gastrointestinal lesions such as stomach cancer and gastric ulcers, but recently it has been found to activate systemic inflammatory cytokines, cause lipid metabolism disorders, and affect vascular damage," adding, "Since the effect of simultaneously preventing stomach cancer and myocardial infarction, which are representative high-risk and frequent diseases in Korea, has been demonstrated, eradication therapy should be actively considered if infection is confirmed."

The results of this study were recently published in the international journal 'Helicobacter.'

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.