Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 22, 2025
Retinal and Choroidal Thickness Changes in Populations with Helicobacter pylori Infection by Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography
Published on: November 1, 2024
Relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and white matter lesions in patients with migraine
Serkan Öcal1, Ruhsen Öcal2, Nuretdin Suna3
1Department of Gastroenterology, University of Health Sciences Antalya Training and Research Hospital, Antalya, Turkey. serkanocal75@yahoo.com.
Background/Aim:
White matter lesions (WML) are more frequently observed in migraine patients than in the average population. Associations between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and different extraintestinal pathologies have been identified. Here, we aimed to investigate the association between H. pylori infection and WML in patients diagnosed with episodic migraine.
Materials And Methods:
A retrospective study was conducted with 526 subjects with a diagnosis of episodic migraine. Hyperintensity of WML had been previously evaluated in these patients with brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations. Previous endoscopic gastric biopsy histopathological examination of the same patients and reports on H. pylori findings were recorded. The demographic characteristics of the patients, such as age, gender and chronic systemic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus (DM) were recorded. Statistical evaluation was made.
Results:
Evaluation was made among 526 migraine patients who met the inclusion criteria, comprising 397 (75.5%) females and 129 (24.5%) males with a mean age of 45.57 ± 13.46 years (range, 18-69 years). WML was detected on brain MRI in 178 (33.8%) patients who were also positive for H. pylori (p < 0.05). Subjects who are H. pylori-positive with migraine, WML were observed at a 2.5-fold higher incidence on brain MRI (odds ratio: 2.562, 95% CI 1.784-3.680). WML was found to be more significant in patients with hypertension and migraine than those without (p < 0.001). Older age was also found to be associated with WML (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 0.01-0.04, p < 0.001). The age (p < 0.001), H. pylori (p < 0.001), hypertension (p < 0.001), and hypertension + DM (p < 0.05), had significant associations in predicting WML according to the multivariate logistic regression analysis. The presence of hypertension had a higher odds ratio value than the other variables.
Conclusion:
It was concluded that H. pylori infection, as a chronic infection, can be considered a risk factor in developing WML in subjects with migraine.
Insights
Helicobacter pylori infection is a significant risk factor for white matter lesions (WML) in migraine patients. This chronic infection increases the likelihood of developing WML by 2.5 times.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- White matter lesions (WML) are more prevalent in migraineurs compared to the general population.
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection has been linked to various extraintestinal conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between H. pylori infection and WML in patients diagnosed with episodic migraine.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 526 episodic migraine patients.
- Review of brain MRI for WML and gastric biopsy for H. pylori status.
- Inclusion of demographic data and comorbidities like hypertension and diabetes mellitus (DM).
Main Results:
- WML detected in 33.8% of patients positive for H. pylori (p < 0.05).
- H. pylori-positive migraine patients showed a 2.5-fold higher incidence of WML (OR: 2.562).
- Hypertension, older age, and H. pylori infection were significant predictors of WML.
Conclusions:
- H. pylori infection is identified as a potential risk factor for WML development in individuals with migraine.
- Chronic H. pylori infection may contribute to the pathophysiology of WML in migraine patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Peptic Ulcer Disease III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Few clinical manifestations differentiate gastric ulcers from duodenal ulcers. Distinctions in the location, timing, and pain relief are crucial for healthcare providers in differentiating between gastric and duodenal ulcers during clinical assessments.
01:22Pathophysiology of Peptic Ulcer Disease: Injurious Factors
In the antrum region, G cells secrete the gastrin hormone that binds to gastrin-cholecystokinin-B (CCK2) receptors on parietal and enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells in the fundic glands. Simultaneously, the vagus nerve releases acetylcholine, which binds...
01:16Treating Helicobacter pylori in Peptic Ulcers: Antimicrobial Therapy
01:30Peptic Ulcer Disease I: Introduction
An acute ulcer, marked by superficial erosion and minimal inflammation, swiftly resolves upon identifying and addressing the underlying cause. In contrast, a chronic ulcer persists, potentially eroding through the muscular wall and forming fibrous tissue.
Peptic ulcers can also be...