Abstract
BackgroundHelicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a worldwide threat to human health with high prevalence. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between latitude, average annual temperature, average daily sunshine time and H. pylori infection.MethodsThe PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, EBSCO and Web of Science databases were searched to identify studies reporting H. pylori infection. Latitude 30° was the cut-off level for low and mid-latitude areas. We obtained information for latitude, average annual temperature, average daily sunshine, and Human Development Index (HDI) from reports of studies of the relationships with H. pylori infection.ResultsOf the 51 studies included, there was significant difference in H. pylori infection between the low- and mid-latitude areas (P = 0.05). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of H. pylori infection in each 15°-latitude zone analyzed (P = 0.061). Subgroup analysis revealed the highest and lowest H. pylori infection rates in the developing regions at > 30° latitude subgroup and the developed regions at < 30° latitude subgroup, respectively (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that average annual temperature, average daily sunshine time and HDI were significantly correlated with H. pylori infection (P = 0.009, P < 0.001, P < 0.001), while there was no correlation between H. pylori infection and latitude.ConclusionsOur analysis showed that higher average annual temperature was associated with lower H. pylori infection rates, while average daily sunshine time correlated positively with H. pylori infection. HDI was also found to be a significant factor, with higher HDI associated with lower infection rates. These findings provide evidence that can be used to devise strategies for the prevention and control of H. pylori.
Highlights
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a worldwide threat to human health with high prevalence
Our results showed that more average daily sunshine time is associated with higher H. pylori infection rate, which was contrary to our expectation based on the positive correlation of daily sunshine time with vitamin D synthesis
In conclusion, we have demonstrated that H. pylori infection is significantly related to average annual temperature, average daily sunshine time and Human Development Index (HDI)
Summary
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a worldwide threat to human health with high prevalence. H. pylori infection is commonly associated with gastroduodenal diseases in humans, such as chronic gastritis and peptic ulcers [1], gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma [2], and even gastric cancer [3, 4]. Almost 50% of the human population worldwide is infected, with a higher rate in people living in developing countries [5]. A large number of studies have provided evidence of H. pylori in dental plaques, houseflies, human and animal feces, and natural environmental waters [6]. Water supplies contaminated by sewage containing fluids or feces from infected people have been considered to be a potential route of H. pylori transmission [6]. Several factors may contribute to H. pylori infection, such as socioeconomic status and living conditions [7], metabolic syndrome [8], sex [9], education and smoking [10]
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