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[Behavior of Helicobacter pylori in 3d and 4th age-bracket patients]
R Daturi1, C Matti, A Nicolato
1Servizio Analisi Microbiologiche, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia.
Insights
This study found a high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection in hospitalized elderly patients, with nearly half testing positive for IgG anti-Hp antibodies. These findings align with existing research on Hp infection in older populations.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Epidemiology
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Helicobacter pylori is a known cause of atrophic gastritis and ulcers.
- It is implicated in stomach cancer development.
- Infection prevalence increases with age, reaching 50% in individuals over 60.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in hospitalized elderly patients.
- To assess levels of IgG anti-Helicobacter pylori (anti-Hp) antibodies in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- An epidemiological study was conducted in 1997 involving 91 elderly patients.
- Blood samples were collected to assay for IgG anti-Hp antibodies using a monoclonal antibody test.
- Patient data included hospital admission reasons and existing gastric pathologies.
Main Results:
- Out of 91 patients, 46 tested positive for anti-Helicobacter pylori antibodies.
- 35 patients were negative, and 10 showed borderline results.
- The study focused on elderly patients admitted for various conditions, including those with gastric pathologies.
Conclusions:
- The high prevalence of positive results in this elderly cohort is consistent with other studies.
- This highlights the significant burden of Helicobacter pylori infection in older populations.
Aims And Background:
Helicobacter pylori is known to be the pathogenic agent of atrophic gastritis and above all ulcer disease. It is also thought to play a role, together with other factors, in the development of stomach cancer and is currently the focus of numerous studies. In industrialised countries, infection is relatively commonplace in children, whereas its incidence rises more steeply in patients aged over 35, reaching a mean prevalence of 50% in over 60 year olds.
Methods:
During 1997 the authors carried out an epidemiological study to assay levels of anti-Helicobacter pylori (IgG anti-Hp) in a sample of 91 aged patients hospitalised in the S. Margherita Geriatric Hospital in Pavia. The patients had been admitted to hospital for various pathologies and the study also took into account gastric pathologies which usually, particularly in neoplastic forms, prefers the third and fourth ages. The assay for antibodies was performed using mouse monoclonal antibody, specific for Helicobacter pylori, absorbed on a polyester pad. A total of 5 ml of blood were collected from each patient. The blood samples were all centrifuged and the serum frozen at -20 degrees C until the tests were performed.
Results:
In this study, 46 of the 91 patients tested were positive for anti-Helicobacter pylori antibodies, 35 were negative and 10 borderline.
Conclusions:
The high level of positive results found in these patients is in line with the findings reported by other authors.