The possible association between Helicobacter Pylori Infection and the severity of rheumatoid arthritis in Egyptian patients
Abstract
Background: The etiology of the autoimmune diseases is not clear, but some contributing elements may activate its evolution in hereditary susceptible person, like some viral or bacterial infection or chemical exposure.
Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative organism that affects mostly people in developing countries (80%) and a percentage of people in developed countries (50 %).
This organism as a chronic infection can induce a state of chronic inflammation that may trigger the appearance of autoimmune diseases or aggravates their clinical course.
One of the most common autoimmune disorders is rheumatoid arthritis that is thought to be initiated or aggravated by chronic infection. In the present study, the relation between rheumatoid arthritis and Helicobacter pylori infection will be examined.
Aim: Compare the progression of rheumatoid arthritis in patients with and without infection with Helicobacter pylori.
Patients &Methods: 50 rheumatoid arthritis patients were confirmed to have positive serum IgG antibodies to Helicobacter pylori, provided that no past history of previous infection or previous treatment of Helicobacter pylori. All patients were assessed for the severity of rheumatoid arthritis through the estimation of their ESR and CRP levels and by using the DAS 28/ESR score.
Results: No significant effect of infection with H pylori on ESR, CRP, or DAS28/ESR.
Conclusion: Assessment parameters of rheumatoid arthritis activity and severity were not affected by the existence of H pylori infection.
Keywords: Autoimmunity, Rheumatoid arthritis, Inflammation, Helicobacter pylori, infection.