The Korean journal of internal medicine

The Korean Association of Internal Medicine (대한내과학회)
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Association between thyroid autoimmunity and Helicobacter pylori infection

  • Choi, Yun Mi (Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Tae Yong (Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Eui Young (Department of Internal Medicine, Dongnam Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences) ;
  • Jang, Eun Kyung (Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Jeon, Min Ji (Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Won Gu (Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Shong, Young Kee (Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Won Bae (Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine)
  • Received : 2014.12.01
  • Accepted : 2015.06.15
  • Published : 2017.03.01
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Abstract

Background/Aims: There have been controversial reports linking Helicobacter pylori infection to autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD). However, data regarding the relationship are limited for Asian populations, which have an extremely high prevalence of H. pylori infection. We performed this study to investigate the association between H. pylori infection and AITD in Koreans. Methods: This study involved adults aged 30 to 70 years who had visited a health promotion center. A total of 5,502 subjects were analysed. Thyroid status was assessed by free thyroxine, thyroid stimulating hormone, and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO-Ab). Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to H. pylori were measured as an indication of H. pylori infection. We compared the prevalence of TPO-Ab in subjects with and without H. pylori infection. Results: H. pylori IgG antibodies were found in 2,875 subjects (52.3%), and TPO-Ab were found in 430 (7.8%). Individuals positive for H. pylori Ab were older than those negative for H. pylori Ab (p < 0.01). The proportion of females was significantly higher in the TPO-Ab positive group (41.0% vs. 64.2%, p < 0.01). Prevalence of TPO-Ab positivity was higher in subjects with H. pylori infection (8.6% vs. 7.00%, p = 0.03), and this association was significant after adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index (odds ratio, 1.02; 95% confidence interval, 1.00 to 1.03; p = 0.04). Conclusions: In our study, prevalence of TPO-Ab positivity is more frequent in subjects with H. pylori infection. Our findings suggest H. pylori infection may play a role in the development of autoimmune thyroiditis.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

Supported by : Asan Institute for Life Sciences

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