Helicobacter pylori infection increases the risk of thyroid nodules in adults of Northwest China

• Published in: Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology Vol. 13; p. 1134520
• Main Authors: Di, Jia, Ge, Zhuang, Xie, Qingwei, Kong, Danfeng, Liu, Sha, Wang, Pengwei, Li, Jie, Ning, Ning, Qu, Wei, Guo, Rong, Chang, Danyan, Zhang, Jun, Zheng, Xiang-Hong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Frontiers Media S.A 31.03.2023
• Subjects: Adult; Cellular and Infection Microbiology; China - epidemiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Helicobacter Infections - complications; Helicobacter Infections - epidemiology; Helicobacter pylori; Humans; Northwest China; Prevalence; Retrospective Studies; risk factor; Risk Factors; Thyroid Nodule - diagnostic imaging; Thyroid Nodule - epidemiology; thyroid nodules; China; Helicobacter pylori; adult; thyroid nodules; Northwest China; risk factor
• ISSN: 2235-2988; 2235-2988
• DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1134520

Thyroid nodules (TNs) are very common in the adults of Northwest China. The role of ( ) infection in TNs is poorly investigated and even with controversial conclusions. Our study aimed at highlighting the relationship between infection and the risk of TNs. 9,042 individuals were enrolled with thyroid ultrasonography and C-urea breath test ( C-UBT). Baseline characteristics and relevant covariates were obtained, including basic and laboratory indicators. After applying the exclusion criteria, 8,839 patients were included and divided into 2 groups: a cross-sectional study of single follow-up ( =8,711) and a retrospective cohort study of multiple follow-ups for 5 years ( =139). The prevalence of infection and TNs was 39.58% and 47.94% in the adults of Northwest China, respectively. The prevalence of TNs was significantly higher among -positive individuals than those without infection (52.55% vs. 44.92%, <0.01). The result of binary logistic regression revealed that the crude odds ratio (OR) was 1.624 (95% CI 1.242~2.123) in Model 1 without adjustment compared to -negative group, and was also positive in Model 2, 3, and 4 (Model 2: OR=1.731, 95% CI 1.294~2.316; Model 3: OR=2.287, 95% CI 1.633~3.205; Model 4: OR=2.016, 95% CI 1.390~2.922) after the adjustment. The data of 5-year follow-up showed that the annual incidence of TNs was significantly higher in individuals with persistent infection than non-infected counterparts (all <0.05). is an independent risk factor for TNs in the adults of Northwest China.