Helicobacter pylori seropositivity and hyperemesis gravidarum.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible association between Helicobacter pylori seropositivity and hyperemesis gravidarum. STUDY DESIGN: We designed a case-control study to compare the prevalence of H pylori seropositivity in women diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum to that in a control population recruited from 2 university-based clinics, 1 inner city and 1 suburban. Results were tested for statistical significance by chi 2, Student t test and unconditional logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Fifty-three subjects (30 inner city, 23 suburban) and 153 controls (75 inner city, 78 suburban) were enrolled. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of H pylori seropositivity between subjects and controls at either site (50% vs. 47%, P = .8 inner city; 17% vs. 13%, P = .6 suburban) or overall (36% vs. 29%, P = .39). In logistic regression analysis only race (African American) and age remained significantly associated with hyperemesis gravidarum, with adjusted odds ratios of 2.45 (95% CI 1.03-5.83) and .91 (95% CI .85-.98), respectively. CONCLUSION: This study found no association between hyperemesis gravidarum and H pylori seropositivity in 2 populations with disparate H pylori seroprevalence.