Relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection, osteoporosis, and fracture

Abstract

Osteoporotic fracture is a prevalent noncommunicable disease globally, causing significant mortality, morbidity, and disability. As the population ages, the healthcare and economic burden of osteoporotic fracture is expected to increase further. Due to its multifactorial features, the development of osteoporotic fracture involves a complex interplay of multiple risk factors, including genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Helicobacter pylori, which infects approximately 43% of the world's population, has been associated with increased fracture risk due to hypochlorhydria from atrophic gastritis and systemic inflammation from elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, the potential impact of H. pylori infection and eradication on fracture risk remains contentious among various studies due to the study design and inadequate adjustment of confounding factors including baseline gastritis phenotype. In this review, we provided a comprehensive evaluation of the current evidence focusing on the underlying mechanisms and clinical evidence of the association between H. pylori infection and osteoporotic fracture. We also discussed the potential benefits of H. pylori eradication on fracture risk.