What is the Long-Term Effects of Helicobacter Pylori on the Body?

What is the Long-Term Effects of Helicobacter Pylori on the Body?

Mr. Zhang, a 45-year-old man, had been experiencing recurrent episodes of upper abdominal pain, acid reflux, and halitosis for nearly a decade. He initially dismissed these symptoms as “ordinary gastritis” and self-medicated with over-the-counter stomach medications, which provided only temporary relief. Six months ago, however, he sought medical attention due to black stools. An endoscopic examination revealed a large ulcer in the gastric antrum with precancerous lesions, and a pathological report confirmed a positive result for Helicobacter pylori (Hp). The doctor noted with concern that the prolonged, untreated infection had caused irreversible damage to the gastric mucosa, significantly increasing his risk of gastric cancer.

ystemic Harm of Long-Term Hp Infection

✅ Digestive System: From Inflammation to Cancer

1. Chronic Gastritis and Ulcers

Helicobacter pylori penetrates the gastric mucosa with its spiral structure and secretes urease, which converts urea in the stomach into ammonia and carbon dioxide, neutralizing stomach acid and creating a persistent inflammatory environment on the mucosal surface. This chronic irritation gradually erodes the mucosal barrier, leading to chronic atrophic gastritis in 60% of infected individuals and gastric or duodenal ulcers in 30%.

2. Increased Risk of Gastric Cancer

The World Health Organization classifies Hp as a Group I carcinogen. Long-term infection causes DNA damage in gastric epithelial cells, initiating a carcinogenic pathway: normal gastric mucosa → superficial gastritis → atrophic gastritis → intestinal metaplasia → dysplasia → gastric cancer. This progression raises the risk of gastric cancer by 4–6 times, with approximately 90% of non-cardia gastric cancers linked to Hp infection.

3. Functional Dyspepsia

Hp infection alters the gastric environment, impairing digestive function and leading to symptoms such as acid reflux, heartburn, belching, and halitosis.

✅ Systemic Effects Beyond the Digestive Tract

1. Hematological Disorders

Hp competes for iron and inhibits gastric acid secretion (which is essential for iron absorption), resulting in refractory iron-deficiency anemia, particularly in pediatric patients. Additionally, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, vitamin B12 deficiency, and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma have been linked to Hp infection.

2. Association with Cardiovascular Diseases

Hp infection promotes systemic inflammation, contributing to the development and progression of coronary heart disease (CHD). Studies indicate that individuals with Hp infection face a 1.48 times higher risk of CHD compared to non-infected individuals.

3. Skin and Metabolic Abnormalities

Clinical research has identified connections between Hp infection and chronic urticaria, rosacea, and other dermatological conditions. The bacterium may also exacerbate metabolic syndrome by interfering with insulin signaling pathways.

4. Impaired Growth in Children

Infected children often experience stunted growth in height and weight due to impaired nutrient absorption, with only a 10% spontaneous clearance rate.

Screening Tools

Stool HP Antigen Test

Among various diagnostic methods, the Helicobacter pylori stool antigen test stands out for its unique advantages:

1. Non-Invasive and Convenient

Requires only a stool sample, eliminating the discomfort of endoscopy or concerns about radiation exposure (as with breath tests). This makes it particularly suitable for children, pregnant women, and elderly patients.

2.Accurate Detection of Active Infection

Directly identifies Hp antigens in stool, avoiding false positives from past infections (unlike serological tests).

3. Effective for Monitoring Treatment

Allows for follow-up testing 4–8 weeks after treatment to assess eradication success, providing earlier feedback than breath tests.

4. Efficient for Mass Screening

Ideal for large-scale community screenings, with no need for fasting or medication adjustments.

Eradicating Hp can significantly reduce the risk of gastric cancer. Current guidelines recommend the urea breath test (UBT) as the primary diagnostic tool, with the stool antigen test serving as a supplementary method or alternative for patients unable to undergo UBT. For high-risk individuals like Mr. Zhang, the following measures are advised:

- Family-wide screening and treatment (household transmission rates exceed 60%)
- Annual endoscopic follow-ups to monitor mucosal changes post-treatment
- Strict meal segregation to prevent reinfection

The long-term harm of Helicobacter pylori is akin to “boiling a frog slowly.” Timely screening and standardized treatment are critical to halting the progression to cancer.

Conclusion

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