Association of Helicobacter pylori vacA genotypes and peptic ulcer in Iranian population: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Helicobacter pylori is accounted as the most etiologic agent for digestive disorders, in particular, the most important of them i.e. peptic ulcer and gastric cancer. In the recent years, association of vacA genotypes and gastrointestinal disorders has attracted a lot of attention. In present study, we assessed the correlation between vacA genotypes (s1, s2, m1, m2, s1m1, s1m2, s2m1 and s2m2) and development to peptic ulcer in Iranian population. Methods In our study, first, 23 original articles containing of information of 3328 patients were evaluated. Statistical analysis was done by Comprehensive Meta-Analysis version 2.0 software (Biostat, Englewood, NJ, USA). In this regards, we used from fixed-effects model for analysis of data with low heterogeneity, while for analysis of data with high heterogeneity (I2 statistic index > 25%, Cochrane Q statistic p value < 0.05), random-effects model was used. Results Abundance of each of s1, s2, m1, m2, s1m1, s1m2, s2m1, and s2m2 was estimated 36.24%, 28.32%, 42.90% 29.86%, 27.88%, 32.34%, 15.70%, and 25.94%, respectively. According to the results, the m1, s1, and s1m2 genotypes were among the most prevalent genotypes among the Iranian patients, whereas, s2m1 genotype had the lowest frequency. Conclusions Finally, we demonstrated that there is a significant relationship between infection of stomach with m1, s1m1, and s2m1 genotypes and development to peptic ulcer.