Symptomatic Helicobacter pylori infection in a neurorehabilitation population

Helicobacter pylori infection has been associated with acute and chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, hypertension, and possibly gastric carcinoma and coronary artery disease. The prevalence of H pylori infection is more than 50% in people older than 60 years; however, the prevalence is not known in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) or cerebrovascular accidents who are treated in inpatient rehabilitation services. This report describes 10 symptomatic patients with TBI and strokes who were diagnosed with and treated for H pylori infection after transfer to a neurorehabilitation unit during a 12-month period. Physicians who treat patients with TBI and stroke need to be aware of the possible high prevalence of H pylori infection in their patients. The authors recommend H pylori screening for symptomatic patients in neurorehabilitation units and providing definitive treatment to prevent recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding, peptic ulcer disease, and gastritis.