Role of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Body Height of Adult Dyspeptic Patients

IntroductionThe prevalence of H. pylori infection is high in underdeveloped countries and is associated with growth retardation. In the first half of the 20th century, Sardinia was an underdeveloped region; however, more recent development resulted in a decline in H. pylori infection. Because body height is correlated with health and nutritional status in childhood, the association among H. pylori infection and height was explored. Materials and MethodsA retrospective observational study was conducted involving patients undergoing endoscopy for dyspepsia from 2002 to 2012. H. pylori status was assessed by histology plus the rapid urease test or 13Carbon-urea breath test. ResultsBody height and H. pylori status were assessed in 5045 adult patients: 3257 (64.6%) were women. Patients born after 1950 showed a significant increase in height (average 3.22 cm) compared to patients born before 1950 (163.93 vs 160 cm; 95% confidence interval, CI = 2.74-3.70 cm) (p < .0001). H. pylori-infected patients were nearly 1 cm shorter than uninfected patients (95% CI = -1.35 to-0.09 cm) (p = .012). The multivariate linear regression analysis showed male gender, birth cohort, and occupational categories to be strongly associated with height, while the weak effect of H. pylori infection disappeared. ConclusionsOur results demonstrate a strong secular trend related to body height in Sardinia with a minimal influence of H. pylori infection.