Sex differences in the relationship among alcohol, smoking, and Helicobacter pylori infection in asymptomatic individuals

Objective: We aimed to investigate the relationship of Helicobacter pylori infection with alcohol and smoking. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among participants who underwent health check-ups for H. pylori infection between January 2013 and March 2017. We subsequently investigated the relationship of H. pylori infection with alcohol and smoking. Results: A total of 7169 participants were enrolled in this study. The overall prevalence of H. pylori infection was 55.2%. Participants with H. pylori infection were more likely to be older than those without H. pylori infection. For male participants with H. pylori infection, multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that both smoking (odds ratio (OR): 1.61; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.41–1.83) and alcohol consumption (OR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.10–1.52) were independently positively associated with H. pylori infection. For female participants, multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that both smoking (OR: 0.03; 95% CI: 0.02–0.07) and alcohol consumption (OR: 0.20; 95% CI: 0.12–0.33) were inversely significantly associated with H. pylori infection after adjustment for age. Conclusions: Smoking and alcohol consumption were risk factors for male participants but these were protective factors for female individuals with H. pylori infection.