Environmental risk factors associated with Helicobacter pylori seroprevalence in the United States: a cross-sectional analysis of NHANES data

2015 ◽  
Vol 143 (12) ◽  
pp. 2520-2531 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. S. KRUEGER ◽  
E. D. HILBORN ◽  
R. R. CONVERSE ◽  
T. J. WADE

SUMMARYHelicobacter pylori imparts a considerable burden to public health. Infections are mainly acquired in childhood and can lead to chronic diseases, including gastric ulcers and cancer. The bacterium subsists in water, but the environment's role in transmission remains poorly understood. The nationally representative National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) was examined for environmental risk factors associated with H. pylori seroprevalence. Data from 1999–2000 were examined and weighted to represent the US population. Multivariable logistic regression estimated adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations with seropositivity. Self-reported general health condition was inversely associated with seropositivity. Of participants aged <20 years, seropositivity was significantly associated with having a well as the source of home tap water (aOR 1·7, 95% CI 1·1–2·6) and living in a more crowded home (aOR 2·3, 95% CI 1·5–3·7). Of adults aged ⩾20 years, seropositivity was not associated with well water or crowded living conditions, but adults in soil-related occupations had significantly higher odds of seropositivity compared to those in non-soil-related occupations (aOR 1·9, 95% CI 1·2–2·9). Exposures to both well water and occupationally related soil increased the effect size of adults' odds of seropositivity compared to non-exposed adults (aOR 2·7, 95% CI 1·3-5·6). Environmental exposures (well-water usage and occupational contact with soil) play a role in H. pylori transmission. A disproportionate burden of infection is associated with poor health and crowded living conditions, but risks vary by age and race/ethnicity. These findings could help inform interventions to reduce the burden of infections in the United States.

Author(s):  
Yvonne N. Flores ◽  
Zuelma A. Contreras ◽  
Paula Ramírez-Palacios ◽  
Leo S. Morales ◽  
Todd C. Edwards ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to examine various psychosocial, behavioral, and socio-environmental factors in a multiethnic sample of healthy-weight, overweight, and obese youths in the United States (US) and Mexico and determine differences by sex. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 633 youths aged 11–18 years who completed a self-reported questionnaire. Height and weight were measured to determine body mass index (BMI). Overweight and obese youth in both countries were significantly more likely to report a higher body image dissatisfaction (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.67 and OR= 2.95, respectively), depressive symptoms (OR = 1.08 and OR = 1.12, respectively), perceive themselves as overweight (OR = 2.57) or obese (OR = 5.30), and a lower weight-specific quality of life (OR = 0.97 and OR = 0.95, respectively) than healthy-weight youth. Obese youth have lower healthy lifestyle priorities (OR = 0.75) and are less likely to be physically active (OR = 0.79) and eat breakfast (OR = 0.47) than healthy-weight youth. Additionally, overweight and obese youth are more likely to engage in weight control behaviors (OR = 5.19 and OR = 8.88, respectively) and restrained eating than healthy-weight youth. All the aforementioned results had a p-value of <0.05, which was considered statistically significant. The association between these factors and overweight or obesity remained significant after controlling for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and country. In conclusion, obesity was associated with a range of psychosocial, behavioral, and socio-environmental risk factors in both countries. Our findings support the need for multifactorial approaches when developing interventions to address the growing problem of obesity among youth in the US and Mexico.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vy Kim Nguyen ◽  
Adam Kahana ◽  
Julien Heidt ◽  
Katelyn Polemi ◽  
Jacob Kvasnicka ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundStark racial disparities in disease incidence among American women remains a persistent public health challenge. These disparities likely result from complex interactions between genetic, social, lifestyle, and environmental risk factors. The influence of environmental risk factors, such as chemical exposure, however, may be substantial and is poorly understood.ObjectivesWe quantitatively evaluated chemical-exposure disparities by race/ethnicity and age in United States (US) women by using biomarker data for 143 chemicals from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2014.MethodsWe applied a series of survey-weighted, generalized linear models using data from the entire NHANES women population and age-group stratified subpopulations. The outcome was chemical biomarker concentration and the main predictor was race/ethnicity with adjustment for age, socioeconomic status, smoking habits, and NHANES cycle.ResultsThe highest disparities across non-Hispanic Black, Mexican American, Other Hispanic, and other race/multiracial women were observed for pesticides and their metabolites, including 2,5-dichlorophenol, o,p’-DDE, beta-hexachlorocyclohexane, and 2,4-dichlorophenol, along with personal care and consumer product compounds. The latter included parabens, monoethyl phthalate, and several metals, such as mercury and arsenic. Moreover, for Mexican American, Other Hispanic, and non-Hispanic black women, there were several exposure disparities that persisted across age groups, such as higher 2,4- and 2,5-dichlorophenol concentrations. Exposure differences for methyl and propyl parabens, however, were the starkest between non-Hispanic black and non-Hispanic white children with average differences exceeding 4 folds.DiscussionsWe systematically evaluated differences in chemical exposures across women of various race/ethnic groups and across age groups. Our findings could help inform chemical prioritization in designing epidemiological and toxicological studies. In addition, they could help guide public health interventions to reduce environmental and health disparities across populations.


2018 ◽  
Vol 257 ◽  
pp. 58-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.K. Nielsen ◽  
M.A. Branan ◽  
A.M. Wiedenheft ◽  
R. Digianantonio ◽  
J.A. Scare ◽  
...  

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document