The prevalence of H. pylori is still substantial in rheumatic patients.
The separate contribution of NSAIDs and H. pylori in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease has not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of H. pylori in patients with rheumatic diseases and chronic NSAID treatment. Patients with a rheumatic disease, age 40-80 years, and regular use of NSAIDs (at least 3 times a week) were included (n= 1214). IgG-antibodies to H. pylori were found in 39% and increased gradually with age: from 25% in patients in the 40-50 years age group to 48% in patients aged 70-80 years (p<0.0001). No difference was observed between men and women, or between the three centres. In our population of rheumatic patients treated with NSAIDs the seroprevalence of H. pylori is substantial (39%), but seems to be lower than in previous reports, which may be due to a cohort effect.
Department of Rheumatology, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. M.deLeest@VUmc.nl
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D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial