The Relationship Between Premature Coronary Atherosclerosis and Helicobacter pylori Infection

Objective: Helicobacter pylori infection (HPI) might potentially lead to chronic infection and cancer development in the gastric mucosa. However, previous studies have shown that coronary artery disease might also be associated with this infec-tion. On the other hand, this causal association has not been previously documented in the context of premature coronary atherosclerosis (PCA). In our study, we aimed to investigate the potential relationship between HPI and PCA. Materials and Methods: All consecutive patients (<= 40 years of age) (between the years 2009 and 2018) undergoing coro-nary angiography and gastroduodenoscopy were included in the study (n=199). Patients were divided into two groups (PCA and control). The statistically considered significant p value is <0.05. Results: One hundred ninety nine patients included those with PCA [n=61 (30%)] (51% male, average age 35 years old). HPI was detected in 70% of patients with PCA (n: 43). Statistically significant independent relationship between HPI and PCA was observed in the logistics regression analysis (p<0.001). Conclusion: HPI may be an independent risk factor for PCA.