Correlation BetweenHelicobacter pyloriInfection, IgE Hypersensitivity, and Allergic Disease in Korean Adults

Background The correlation between allergic disease and Helicobacter pylori infection is still controversial in endemic areas. The aim of this study was to determine whether H. pylori infection is related to allergic disease and/or immunoglobulin E (IgE) hypersensitivity in Korean adults. Materials and Methods Consecutive Korean adults who visited our center for a routine checkup were enrolled. All subjects completed a questionnaire that was designed to ascertain their medical history pertaining to physician-diagnosed allergic disease, allergy treatments, and H. pylori eradication therapy. Blood was sampled for serum anti-H. pylori IgG antibody. IgE hypersensitivity was measured using a commercially available ImmunoCAP® Phadiatop (Phadia AB, Uppsala, Sweden). Results Of the 3376 Korean adults who were enrolled, 62 did not answer to the questionnaires adequately and were thus excluded. The proportion of noninfected subjects (p