Objective  To explore the correlation between formation of carotid atherosclerotic plaque and Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection in people with health examination.

  Methods  Totally 286 patients with carotid plaque were selected as carotid plaque group and 314 patients without carotid plaque were selected as control group. A questionnaire was designed to collect demographic data and life behaviors. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the correlation between carotid plaque and Hp infection.

  Results  The Hp infection rate of the carotid plaque group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P=0.003). Univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, smoking history, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), Hp infection and fasting blood glucose between the two groups (P < 0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the formation of carotid plaque was related to BMI, smoking history, hypertension and positive-Hp, and positive-Hp could be regarded as an independent risk factor for the formation of carotid plaque.

  Conclusion  The Hp infection rate of carotid plaque in healthy people is relatively high, and more attention should be paid in the prevention of carotid plaque in Hp infected people.