Association Between Helicobacter pylori Infection and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Meta-Analysis of Prevalence and Risk Factors With Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Bias Assessment

This meta-analysis systematically investigates the association between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in terms of prevalence and risk factors. This study innovatively employs artificial intelligence (AI) for bias assessment during the systematic review process, enhancing the methodological rigor. Analyzing 23 observational studies encompassing over 220,000 participants, the meta-analysis reveals a significant positive association between H. pylori infection and NAFLD. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses further support this finding. The integration of AI in bias assessment represents a novel approach in meta-analysis methodology. These findings suggest a potential link between H. pylori infection and increased NAFLD risk, warranting further research into causal mechanisms and clinical implications.