Relation of adult lifestyle and socioeconomic factors to the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection

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Abstract
Introduction The influence of adult socioeconomic status, co-habitation, gender, smoking, coffee and alcohol intake on risk of Helicobacter pylori infection is uncertain. Methods Subjects between aged 40–49 years were randomly invited to attend their local primary care centre. Participants were interviewed by a researcher on smoking, coffee and alcohol intake, history of living with a partner, present and childhood socioeconomic conditions. Helicobacter pylori status was determined by 13C-urea breath test. Results In all, 32 929 subjects were invited, 8429 (26%) were eligible and 2327 (27.6%) were H. pylori positive. Helicobacter pylori infection was more common in men and this association remained after controlling for childhood and adult risk factors in a logistic regression model (odds ratio [OR] = 1.15; 95% CI: 1.03–1.29). Living with a partner was also an independent risk factor for infection (OR = 1.30; 95% CI: 1.01–1.67), particularly in partners of lower social class (social class IV and V—OR = 1.47; 95% CI: 1.19–1.81, compared with social class I and II). Helicobacter pylori infection was more common in lower social class groups (I and II—22% infected, III—29% infected, IV and V—38% infected) and there was a significant increase in risk of infection in manual workers compared with non-manual workers after controlling for other risk factors (OR = 1.18; 95% CI: 1.03–1.34). Alcohol and coffee intake were not independent risk factors for infection and smoking was only a risk factor in those smoking >35 cigarettes a day. Conclusions Male gender, living with a partner and poor adult socioeconomic conditions are associated with increased risk of H. pylori infection.