Relationship between <b><i>Helicobacter pylori</i></b> and Incident Hypertension as well as Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

<b><i>Background:</i></b> <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> (<i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i>) may be a risk factor for hypertension, but the reported studies have given conflicting results. This study aimed to explore the association between <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i> infection and hypertension risk and blood pressure. <b><i>Method:</i></b> PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, Weipu, and Wanfang databases were searched for articles published up to June 2, 2021. Dual-selection and data abstraction were conducted. Random-effect models were used to measure pooled estimates. All data were analyzed with Stata 14.0 SE (StataCorp, College Station, TX, USA). <b><i>Results:</i></b> A total of 55 studies with 198,750 individuals were included in the meta-analysis. Among them, 33 studies reported the relationship between <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i> infection and the risk of hypertension, and 25 studies reported the association of <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i> infection with systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Three studies reported both of the above. Meta-analysis showed that <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i> infection increased the risk of hypertension by 32% (odd ratio: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.15–1.52). Compared with non-<i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i>-infection individuals, the subjects with <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i> infection had elevated levels of SBP (WMD: 1.86, 95% CI: 1.21–2.50) and DBP (WMD: 1.12, 95% CI: 0.81–1.43). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> This meta-analysis suggested that <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i> infection increased the risk of hypertension. This may provide a new strategy for hypertension prevention. However, the association between <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i> infection and hypertension needs to be confirmed in further prospective cohort studies.