Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with worse severity of Parkinson's disease

• Published in: Parkinsonism & related disorders 2015-03, Vol.21 (3), p.221-225
• Main Authors: Tan, Ai Huey, Mahadeva, Sanjiv, Marras, Connie, Thalha, Abdul Malik, Kiew, Chiun Khang, Yeat, Chia Ming, Ng, Sheang Wen, Ang, Sheau Phing, Chow, Siew Kian, Loke, Mun Fai, Vadivelu, Jamunarani S, Ibrahim, Norlinah, Yong, Hoi Sen, Tan, Chong Tin, Fox, Susan H, Lang, Anthony E, Lim, Shen-Yang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Breath Tests; Female; Gastrointestinal dysfunction; Helicobacter Infections - physiopathology; Helicobacter pylori; Helicobacter pylori - pathogenicity; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neurology; Parkinson Disease - microbiology; Parkinson Disease - physiopathology; Parkinson's disease; Predictive Value of Tests; Quality of Life; Severity of Illness Index; Spectrophotometry, Infrared; Statistics, Nonparametric; Surveys and Questionnaires
• ISSN: 1353-8020; 1873-5126
• DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2014.12.009

Abstract Background Some studies have suggested that chronic Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection can aggravate the neurodegenerative process in Parkinson's disease (PD), and targeted intervention could potentially modify the course of this disabling disease. We aimed to study the impact of HP infection on motor function, gastrointestinal symptoms, and quality of life in a large cohort of PD patients. Methods 102 consecutive PD patients underwent13 C urea breath testing and blinded evaluations consisting of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) including “On”-medication motor examination (Part III), objective and quantitative measures of bradykinesia (Purdue Pegboard and timed gait), Leeds Dyspepsia Questionnaire, and PDQ-39 (a health-related quality of life questionnaire). Results 32.4% of PD patients were HP-positive. HP-positive patients were older (68.4 ± 7.3 vs. 63.8 ± 8.6 years, P  = 0.009) and had worse motor function (UPDRS Part III 34.0 ± 13.0 vs. 27.3 ± 10.0, P  = 0.04; Pegboard 6.4 ± 3.3 vs. 8.0 ± 2.7 pins, P  = 0.04; and timed gait 25.1 ± 25.4 vs. 15.5 ± 7.6 s, P  = 0.08). In the multivariate analysis, HP status demonstrated significant main effects on UPDRS Part III and timed gait. The association between HP status and these motor outcomes varied according to age. Gastrointestinal symptoms and PDQ-39 Summary Index scores did not differ between the two groups. Conclusions This is the largest cross-sectional study to demonstrate an association between HP positivity and worse PD motor severity.