Introduction: Gastric cancer is the most common malignancy in Iran. Helicobacter pylori and some components of the diet are among the risk factors for this disease, but there are few studies on the relationship between these two factors in the world. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and its severity with diet in Yazd.
Methods: This study was a cross-sectional descriptive study. The samples were 77 people who underwent upper endoscopy in Yazd Gastroenterology and Liver Research Center. A questionnaire containing demographic information and a food frequency questionnaire for individuals was filled out and a sample of anther was sent for pathological examination. Data analysis was performed by non-parametric tests.
Results: The rate of Helicobacter pylori infection was 40.8% based on pathological examination (hematoxylin-eosin). Positive HP infection was inversely related to weekly consumption of fish (P = 0.009), green pepper (P = 0.01) and water (P = 0.019) and weekly consumption of tuna (P = 0.013) and tea (P = 0.048) was directly related. The severity of HP infection was inversely related to weekly consumption of fish (P = 0.001), green pepper (P = 0.045) and water (P = 0.001) and with weekly consumption of tuna (P = 0.011) and sugar (P = 0.044) was directly related.
Conclusion: The results indicate the possibility of the effect of some foods such as fish (except tuna), green pepper and water on HP and the severity of this infection. Due to the limitations of this study, more comprehensive and accurate studies are necessary to prove the findings and achieve more details.