On the association between soft drink consumption and helicobacter pylori infection

Background The association between soft drink (SD) consumption and Helicobacter pylori infection remains unclear. Aim To examine the relationship between SD consumption and H. pylori infection. Methods A prospective study included individuals who were referred for an upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examination because chronic dyspepsia within a period of 1 year. In addition to determining daily SD consumption and the risk factors for H. pylori infection by asking all study participants to complete a standard questionnaire about their diet, daily eating and drinking habits, and their lifestyle before undergoing the endoscopic examination. H. pylori infection was established by a positive result of the rapid urease test and histology. Results Of the 312 individuals who were referred for the endoscopic examination because chronic dyspepsia, 269 met the inclusion criteria. H. pylori infection was found in 164 (61%) of the 269 study participants, and, of these, 104/164 individuals were SD consumers with H. pylori infection versus 24/105 individuals without H. pylori infection (63 vs. 23%, respectively, P\0.001). The results of the multiple logistic regression analysis showed that SD consumption (odds ratio = 4.0; 95% confidence interval = 3.19-5.82, P\0.001), was associated with H. pylori infection. Conclusion SD consumption is associated with H. pylori infection in individuals with chronic dyspepsia.