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 = 3.19­5.82,P < 0.001), was associated with H. pylori infection. CONCLUSION: SD consumption is associated with H. pylori infection in individuals with chronic dyspepsia.