The frequency of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and adult residents of the city of Tula

Abstract

Currently, the list of microorganisms that have a possible connection with the development of rheumatoid arthritis continues to be updated. The role of not only traditional pathogens, but also representatives of conditionally pathogenic microflora is being actively studied. A number of domestic and foreign works demonstrate a high degree of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with rheumatic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis.The aim of the present study is to identify the frequency of detection of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and in adult residents of the city of Tula.Material and methods. The study included 3288 residents of Tula who do not have rheumatic diseases, and 119 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. To detect the infection, FEGDS was performed according to the generally accepted method with the taking of biopsies of the mucous membrane of the antrum and the stomach body, followed by verification of Helicobacter pylori using the Helpil-test test system.Results. According to the results of the data on the infection rate of residents of Tula without rheumatic diseases (n=3288), the largest percentage of infected (78.8%) was detected by an invasive method – express diagnosis of urease activity of the biopsy. The detection rate using a respiratory ammonia test and serological method was lower and amounted to 51.1 and 49.3%, respectively. In total, H. pylori was detected in 1692 people, which was 51.46%. Among patients with rheumatoid arthritis, Helicobacter pylori infection was 81.5%. Signs of damage to the mucous membrane of the upper gastrointestinal tract were often detected: superficial and subatrophic gastritis, single erosions.Conclusions. 1. Based on the study, it was found that the infection rate of Helicobacter pylori in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is at a fairly high level, not significantly different from that in residents without rheumatic diseases, when examined by an invasive method – express diagnosis of urease activity of the biopsy (81.5% and 78.8%, respectively). 2. Among patients with rheumatoid arthritis, there was a tendency to increase the frequency of infection with age and peak values in older age groups (r=0.37; p<0.05). 3. The frequency of detection of erosive and ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract in infected and uninfected Helicobacter pylori patients with rheumatoid arthritis significantly differed (42.2 and 13.6%) (p=0.03). Key words: Tula population, rheumatoid arthritis, Helicobacter pylori infection>˂ 0.05). 3. The frequency of detection of erosive and ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract in infected and uninfected Helicobacter pylori patients with rheumatoid arthritis significantly differed (42.2 and 13.6%) (p=0.03).