Irregular Meal Timing Is Associated with Helicobacter pylori Infection and Gastritis

Helicobacter pylori (HP) is associated with chronic gastritis and gastric cancer, and more than half of the world’s population is chronically infected. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate whether an irregular meal pattern is associated with increased risk of gastritis and HP infection. The study involved 323 subjects, divided into three groups as follows: subjects with HP infection and gastritis, subjects with gastritis, and a control group. Subjects were interviewed on eating habits and meal timing. Multivariate logistic regression was used to compare groups. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) were derived controlling for gender, age, stress, and probiotic consumption. Subjects who deviated from their regular meals by 2 hours or more had a significantly higher incidence of HP infection with gastritis (adjusted OR？=？13.3; 95% CI 5.3–33.3; ) and gastritis (adjusted OR？=？6.1; 95% CI 2.5–15.0; ). Subjects who deviated their meals by 2 hours or more, twice or more per week, had an adjusted OR of 6.3 and 3.5 of acquiring HP infection with gastritis (95% CI 2.6–15.2; ) and gastritis (95% CI 1.5–8.5; ), respectively. Frequent deviation in meal timing over a prolonged period appears associated with increased risk of developing HP infection and gastritis. 1. Introduction Since the discovery of Helicobacter pylori (HP) in the 1980s, considerable attention has been given to this bacterium as a cause of gastritis and an established risk factor for gastric cancer [1–3]. Helicobacter pylori is known to chronically infect more than half of the world’s population [4]. Infection is common in Singapore, affecting 71% of adults above 65 years and 3% of children below 5 years [5]. Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with a complex interaction between genetic [6], socioeconomic [7], environmental [8], and bacterial factors [9]. This results in multiple potential outcomes following infection, including chronic gastritis and gastric adenocarcinoma [10, 11]. Due to the close association between HP, gastritis and gastric cancer, it is of interest to decrease the occurrence of HP infection and gastritis. To date, there is a scarcity of published literature on the impact of irregular meals on HP infection or gastritis. This study aims to determine whether a prolonged irregular meal pattern is associated with increased risk of gastritis and HP infection. 2. Materials and Methods 2.1. Ethics The study protocol was approved by the National Healthcare Group Domain Specific Review Board. Consent was obtained from participants before the survey was carried out. 2.2.