Association Between Helicobacter pylori, Adverse Gynecological and Pregnancy Outcomes, and Some Cancers: An Overview of Metanalyses

Abstract

Context: The number of meta-analyses published about Helicobacter pylori-associated diseases that clinicians must comprehensively know about are scarce. This overview aims to give comprehensive knowledge on the fascinating topic of Helicobacter pylori-associated diseases. Methods: The search strategy was to systematically screen the articles evaluating the association between H. pylori infection and gynecological and reproductive health issues and cancers published on the authentic databases of Scopus, MEDLINE, and Web of Sciences from the inception until 2022. Results: Fifteen meta-analyses were included in the overview. The H. pylori infections were significantly associated with general adverse pregnancy outcomes such as gestational diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, and hyperemesis gravidarum and adverse birth outcomes such as birth defect and fetal growth restriction. H. pylori infection was not associated with a deficiency of micronutrients (B2, folate, and ferritin) but was associated with an increased risk of iron-deficiency anemia during pregnancy. In esophagus cancer, H. pylori infection was significantly reduced in adenocarcinoma but not in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. There was no significant association between H. pylori infection and the risk of asthma. The results also indicated a significant association between H. pylori infection and an elevated risk of colorectal cancer, colorectal adenoma, and the risk of asthma and lung cancer. Results of metanalysis are not consistently reproducible regarding spontaneous abortion and pancreatic cancer. Conclusions: Our overview revealed a significant relationship between H. pylori infection and several cancers, namely colorectal, lung, and colorectal adenoma, as well as gynecological and reproductive health issues.