Influence of Helicobacter pylori Infection on Periodontitis

Abstract

Background: Helicobacter pylori detection in dental plaque, saliva, or oral mucosa would allow to include this bacteria as a member of the normal oral microbiota and have an etiological role in periodontitis. Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the possible relationship of H. pylori with periodontitis. Methods: A search for studies on H. pylori and periodontitis was conducted in the following databases: PubMed (MEDLINE, Cochrane Library), Web of Science, and Scopus. The pooled prevalence was calculated according to DerSimonian and Laird method. For dichotomous outcomes, the estimates of effects of the intervention were expressed as odds ratios using Mantel–Haenszel method, and for continuous outcomes, the estimates of effects of the intervention were expressed as mean differences using the inverse-variance method, all with 95% confidence intervals. Results: Twenty-six studies with 4072 participants were included in this meta-analysis. Among periodontitis patients, the estimated prevalence of H. pylori detection was 47.93%. Periodontitis patients had 1.89 times more likely to be infected with H. pylori (P < 0.001) and also, an increase of 2.78 times the probability of H. pylori detection on dental plaque (P < 0.001). Similarly, H. pylori was 2.32 times more likely in the oral microbiota than in the gastric one (P < 0.001). Some periodontal parameters (plaque index, probing depth, and clinical attachment level) were significantly worse in positive H. pylori patients. Conclusions: H. pylori infection seems to aggravate periodontitis.