Helicobacter pylori seroprevalence in patients with chronic bronchitis

Background A high Helicobacter pylori seroprevalence has been found in many extragastrointestinal disorders. Moreover, it has been reported that the risk of chronic bronchitis may be increased in H. pylori-infected patients. The aim of this study was to assess the H. pylori seroprevalence in patients with chronic bronchitis. Methods. We evaluated 144 patients with chronic bronchitis (81 men and 63 women, aged 53.2 +/- 12.7 years) and 120 age and sex-matched control subjects. All enrolled subjects (bronchitic patients and controls) underwent an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) IgG serologic test for H. pylori diagnosis. Results. A correlation between age and H. pylori IgG level was detected for both bronchitic patients (r = 0.42: P = 0.004) and controls (r = 0.44; P = 0.004). H, pylori seroposivity in the chronic bronchitis group was significantly higher than that in controls (83.3% vs 60%;P = 0.007). The mean serum concentration of IgG antibodies against H. pylori was also significantly higher in patients with chronic bronchitis than in the control subjects (38.7 +/- 24.1 U/ml vs 25.9 +/- 19.3 U/ml; P = 0.02). Conclusions. Helicobacter pylori infection may be associated with chronic bronchitis. Further studies should be undertaken to confirm our results and to clarify the potential underlying pathogenetic mechanisms.