The relation between Helicobacter pylori immunoglobulin G seropositivity and leukocyte telomere length in US adults from NHANES 1999‐2000

Abstract Background Helicobacter pylori ( H pylori ) immunoglobulin G (IgG) seropositivity is prevalent but its relation with leukocyte telomere length (LTL), a cellular aging biomarker, is unclear. Methods Among 3,472 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycle 1999‐2000, LTL was measured with the quantitative polymerase chain reaction. H pylori IgG was measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays and defined as seropositivity with an immune status ratio score > 0.9. We used linear regression models to examine the relation of H pylori IgG seropositivity with continuous LTL and logistic regression for the relation with short LTL (<10th percentile of the population distribution) adjusting for potential confounders. We stratified the analyses by a priori selected variables. Results Population prevalence of H pylori IgG seropositivity was 31.5% in the overall population with higher prevalence found in those with older age, other races than non‐Hispanic whites, lower education, and being born out of the United States. Continuous LTL was non‐significantly shorter in those with H Pylori IgG seropositivity versus seronegativity (mean difference = −40.3 bp, 95% CI: −112.4, 31.9). This difference was not significant after adjusting for potential confounders nor stratifying by potential effect modifiers. H Pylori IgG seropositivity was significantly associated with short LTL among the elderly (55‐75 years, adjusted OR: 3.06, 95% CI: 1.17, 7.99), but not in the overall population (OR: 1.28, 95% CI: 0.81‐2.02). Conclusion H Pylori IgG seropositivity was not associated with continuous LTL in the general population but may be associated with an excessively short LTL in the elderly.