Background: Despite the numerous articles discussing the relationship between diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2) and chronic Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection the results have been inconsistent, necessitating further research. This study investigated the coexistence of Helicobacter pylori infection and DMT2.
Methods: We conducted a study in selected laboratories in Tehran, measuring the H.Pylori stool antigen (HpSA) in individuals referred by physicians for a glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test.
Results: Out of the 2500 patients who were referred to randomly selected laboratories, a total of 2025 (81%) patients had serum HbA1c levels above 6.5%. of 2025 patients with HbA1c levels above 6.5%, 1321 (52.84%) had HpSA in their stool. No significant gender difference was observed, with a mean age ± SD, 48.65 ± 7.55. HpSA was positive in 52.84% of the DM group, while in the non-DM group, HpSA was positive in 37.36% of cases. Fecal antigen titers are not related to gender (P = 0.274) but are related to age (r = 0.213, P=0.034).
Conclusion: Long-term infection with Helicobacter pylori may be significantly associated with elevated HgA1c.Testing for H. pylori infection, regular monitoring of blood sugar and HbA1c levels in high-risk people can prevent DMT2.
Keywords: HbA1c; Helicobacter pylori infection; Type 2 diabetes.
© The Author(s).