The relationship between obesity and helicobacter pylori infection has been extensively reported; however, evidence from existing literature showing conflicting data. This current meta-analysis sought to assess the association between obesity and the risk of helicobacter pylori infection by summarizing all available data.

PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane databases were screened to identify relevant literature that assessed the association between obesity and helicobacter pylori infection in participants before the end of May, 2022. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were used to estimate the association between obesity and helicobacter pylori infection by using a random-effects model. In addition, sensitivity analysis and publication bias were conducted.

A total of twenty-one studies with 307,462 participants were included in this meta-analysis. Pooled estimates showed that obesity is associated with an increased risk of helicobacter pylori infection compared to non-obese counterparts (21 studies; OR:1.34; 95% CI: 1.17–1.52; I²=91%). We also conducted subgroup analysis according to sex and study design, respectively. We found that males were more likely to have helicobacter pylori infection than females (OR: 1.59; 95% CI: 1.28–1.97; I²=94.7% for male percent>50%; OR:1.14; 95% CI: 0.94–1.38; I²=75.2% for male percent<50%). Furthermore, pooled studies of case-control study (OR: 1.20; 95% CI:1.05, 1.37; I²=82.4%) showed that the people with obesity had a significantly higher prevalence of helicobacter pylori infection.

This comprehensive quantitative analysis provides an affirmation that obesity is associated with an increased risk of helicobacter pylori infection. From this point of view, the prevention of obesity is important in the treatment of helicobacter pylori infection.