H pylori infection and serum vitamin D are linked via gastric vitamin D receptor and systemic immune response to chronic gastritis.20–22 Thus, a previous study conducted in Italy demonstrated that patients with H pylori-related gastritis had lower serum vitamin D levels.20 However, there was no statistical difference in mean vitamin D level between individuals with and without H pylori after age stratification analysis in the present study. This evidence concerns the gene VDR and chronic gastritis.