Helicobacter pylori infection is not associated with rheumatoid arthritis

Influence of Helicobacter pylori infection on risk of rheumatoid arthritis: a nationwide population-based study

The relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and rheumatoid arthritis has been investigated, but the results remain controversial. This study aims to determine the association between the two diseases via a 17-year retrospective cohort study. Using the National Health Insurance Research Database, a nationwide population based in Taiwan, we identified 97,533 individuals with H. pylori infection and matched controls between 2000 and 2017 using propensity score matching at a 1:1 ratio. The adjusted hazard ratio of rheumatoid arthritis was determined by multiple Cox regression. The incidence rate of rheumatoid arthritis was 1.28 per 10,000 person-months in the H. pylori cohort, with a higher risk compared to the control group. In the < 30 years old subgroup, the risk was highest, especially in women < 30 years old with H. pylori infection. Patients with < 1 year follow-up showed 1.58 times higher susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis. Individuals with follow-ups of 1-5 years and over 5 years demonstrated 1.43 and 1.44 times higher risks of rheumatoid arthritis, respectively. Our study showed H. pylori infection was associated with the development of rheumatoid arthritis. Clinicians should note higher risk, especially < 30 years old. More research needed to understand underlying mechanism.

Helicobacter Pylori and Autoimmune Diseases: Involving Multiple Systems

The modern Gastroenterology have witnessed an essential stride since Helicobacter pylori was first found in the stomach and then its pathogenic effect was discovered. According to the researches conducted during the nearly 40 years, it has been found that this bacterium is associated with a natural history of many upper gastrointestinal diseases. Epidemiological data show an increased incidence of autoimmune disorders with or after infection with specific microorganisms. The researches have revealed that H. pylori is a potential trigger of gastric autoimmunity, and it may be associated with other autoimmune diseases, both innate and acquired. This paper reviews the current support or opposition about H. pylori as the role of potential triggers of autoimmune diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune thyroiditis, type 1 diabetes mellitus, autoimmune liver diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, systemic lupus erythematosus, as well as Sjogren’s syndrome, chronic urticaria and psoriasis, and tried to explain the possible mechanisms.

Helicobacter pylori and its association with autoimmune diseases: systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren syndrome

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a gram-negative bacterium that adapts to the gastric mucosa and provokes symptoms associated with gastritis. Chronic H. pylori infection in patients with a genetic predisposition can trigger autoimmune diseases due to the immune interaction of cellular and humoral responses. Infections are a triggering factor for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and Sjögren syndrome (SS), although the association between H. pylori and these diseases is unclear. Therefore, we reviewed this interaction and its clinical importance.

A positive Helicobacter pylori test is associated with low spondylarthritis incidence in a Danish historical cohort study

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and undifferentiated spondylarthritis (uSpA) are related inflammatory diseases affecting the spine and joints with infections among possible etiological factors. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) may affect the development of inflammatory diseases. Thus, we hypothesized that H. pylori infection affects AS and uSpA development. This cohort study was performed in Denmark with 56,000 patients from primary health care centers who were enrolled when a UBT was performed. They were followed for a median time of 8 years. From nationwide administrative registries, we extracted personal, diagnostic, and treatment information. Prevalence at time of UBT was studied on enrollment using logistic regression and incidence in the follow-up time of 8 years after UBT was studied using Cox regression, comparing H. pylori positive and H. pylori negative patients and adjusting for confounding variables. The prevalence of AS at the time of the UBT was higher among H. pylori positive individuals (OR = 2.00, CI 1.17-3.41), but likely to be linked to confounding as trends disappeared when stratifying for country of birth. The incidence of AS after UBT was lower for individuals who were previously H. pylori positive (OR = 0.23, CI 0.06-0.93). A similar phenomenon was observed for uSpA. As a novel finding, after UBT, the previously H. pylori infected individuals had lower risk of developing AS and uSpA compared to non-infected. This finding may be caused by etiological effects of previous H. pylori infection or unknown confounders. This suggests that H. pylori may somehow be positively involved in the pathogenesis of AS and uSpA.

Review: Helicobacter pylori and extragastric diseases

In the last year, many studies have demonstrated a potential role of Helicobacter pylori in the pathogenic mechanisms of different extragastric diseases. While the role of H pylori in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, idiopathic iron deficiency anemia, and vitamin B12 deficiency has already been demonstrated, there is growing evidence of other related conditions, especially cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurologic disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases. A summary of the results of the most relevant studies published over the last year on this attractive topic is presented in this review.