Raynaud's Phenomenon and Helicobacter Pylori Infection

Raynaud's phenomenon is an intermittent vasospasm of the arterioles of the distal limbs which occurs mostly following exposure to cold or emotional stimuli. Helicobacter pylori infection, the most relevant cause of gastritis, has been associated with some vascular diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of H. pylori infection and effects of eradication on Raynaud attacks. Twenty-five patients affected by primary Raynaud's phenomenon were evaluated. H. pylori infection was assessed by the 13C urea breath test and 20 subjects were found to be infected by the bacterium. Triple therapy consisting of amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and lansoprazole was given to the patients for 7 days at the time of diagnosis. Duration and frequency of clinical attacks of Raynaud's phenomenon per week were assessed for 12 weeks after eradication. In 80 percent of the patients Raynaud's was eradicated after therapy. Clinical attacks of Raynaud's phenomenon completely disappeared in 18% of the eradicated patients. Duration and frequency of attacks were significantly reduced in 68% of the remaining patients. The preliminary findings from this study show that H. pylori eradication significantly ameliorates primary Raynaud's disease.