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Type 2 diabetes patients are at higher risk for H. pylori infection, study finds!

Medical News 1 min 317

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Created On: 23/04/2025

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Given the global burden of gastric diseases and diabetes, the screening for H. pylori infection in individuals with type 2 diabetes is critical, as early detection and treatment could pave the way to better diabetes management.

Novel research published in ‘Aro-The Scientific Journal of Koya University’ journal highlighted a strong connection between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and type 2 diabetes, revealing that individuals with diabetes are at a considerably greater risk of contracting the bacterial infection. H. pylori infection may also contribute to worsened glycemic control, as indicated by elevated glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels.

In this case-control study by Aza B. Taha involving 1,096 participants (548 with type 2 diabetes and 548 controls), a 14C-urea breath test was used to detect H. pylori infection. As per the results, almost 59% of individuals with type 2 diabetes tested positive for H. pylori, compared to only 39% in the control group—a statistically significant difference. Further analysis confirmed that people with diabetes had more than twice the risk of H. pylori infection (Odds ratio = 2.275, 95% CI: 1.786-2.898, p < 0.001).

Additionally, H. pylori-positive individuals with diabetes displayed significantly higher HbA1c levels (7.84 ± 1.797) than those without the infection, implying H. pylori infection to be a contributing factor to poor blood sugar regulation in type 2 diabetics.