Relationship between obesity severity and Helicobacter pylori eradication in patients undergoing bariatric and metabolic surgery: A post hoc analysis

Background The global prevalence of obesity is increasing and represents a major public health challenge. However, there is a paucity of data regarding Helicobacter pylori ( H pylori ) eradication in people with obesity. The aim of the study is to examine the influence of obesity degree on H. pylori eradication in patients undergoing bariatric and metabolic surgery. Methods A post hoc analysis was conducted in a cohort of 204 adults patients (129 individuals diagnosed with obesity, 75 normal weight) H. pylori positive, included in two multicenter, prospective studies. Patients underwent a 14-day quadruple concomitant treatment, and H. pylori eradication was assessed using the 13C-urea breath test. The cohort was stratified according to body mass index (BMI), and statistical analyses were performed using chi-squared test, Kruskal–Wallis test, and logistic regression. Results Eradication rates were significantly lower in patients with obesity compared with normal weight individuals (68.2% vs. 88.0%, OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.13–0.63, p