Helicobacter pylori seroprevalence in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and its relation to pulmonary function tests

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a slowly progressive condition characterized by poorly reversible airflow limitation that is associated with an abnormal inflammatory response of the lung. It has been shown that there is a seroepidemiological association of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection with many inflammatory conditions. Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate seroprevalence in Hp patients with COPD and to determine whether there is an association between Hp infection and COPD. Methods: Forty-nine voluntary patients with COPD and 50 healthy control subjects of similar age and sex were included in the study. Hp-specific IgG was measured with a commercially available kit from venous blood samples. Results: Serum levels of Hp-specific IgG and Hp IgG seropositivity were significantly higher in the patients with COPD than in the control subjects (p < 0.001 and p = 0.006, respectively). In addition, when the patients with COPD were grouped according to Hp IgG seropositivity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) values were lower in the seropositive patients compared to seronegative patients, and Hp serum IgG levels were correlated with FEV1 values, which indicate the severity of COPD, in the COPD group (r = -0.306, p = 0.032). Conclusion: The results suggest that there is an association between Hp infection and COPD, and Hp IgG levels are correlated with the severity of COPD. Copyright (C) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.