Background and Objective: Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection is one of the main risk factors for stomach illness. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and common dietary habits in patients with dyspepsia.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on individuals referred for gastrointestinal endoscopy (N: 374) using a one-year food frequency questionnaire and a 24 hour dietary recall for three days. Tissue samples from the antrum, body and fundus were derived and kept in glass containers including formalin buffer for further pathologic examinations. All data were analyzed using SPSS version 13.0. Independent-Sample t test was used to compare the means. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant.
Results: The study population was comprised of 214 healthy subjects (57%) and 160 patients (43%). The average daily intake of sausages (p = 0.001), burgers (p = 0.002) was higher in patients compared to the healthy group significantly. The average daily intake of fish (p = 0.001) and weekly intake of tomato (p = 0.001), onions (p = 0.002) and citrus (p = 0.001) was lower among patients in comparison to healthy subjects significantly.
Conclusion: The high consumption of fruits and vegetables and low intake of red meat were of dietary habits among healthy individuals. Although, high consumption of processed meat was of dietary habits among patients infected with H. pylori. Therefore, a proper diet can be recommended as a public health policy to the general public.
