PREVALENCE OF HELICOBACTER-PYLORI INFECTION IN ELDERLY INPATIENTS ANDIN INSTITUTIONALIZED OLD-PEOPLE - CORRELATION WITH NUTRITIONAL-STATUS

Helicobacter pylori plays an important role in the aetiology and devel opment of peptic ulcer disease. The prevalence of H. pylori infection increases with age, and is influenced by low socioeconomic status and poor hygiene owing to person-to-person transmission of the organism by the oral-faecal route. The aim of this study was to investigate the p revalence of H. pylori infection, detected serologically, in elderly p atients admitted to a geriatric rehabilitation ward and in a sample of institutionalized old subjects. Nutritional status was also evaluated in order to examine its relation to H. pylori infection. The overall prevalence of H. pylori infection was 70.8%, the prevalence in hospita lized patients being 72.9% and in institutionalized subjects 68.7%. No significant correlation was observed between anti-H. pylori IgG level s and either age or length of stay in the institution. We found no dif ference between H. pylori positive and negative patients as regards th eir self-sufficiency and cognitive functions. The prevalence of anti-H . pylori antibodies in the serum was not related to blood variables (i ncluding nutritional indices), history of drug consumption (in particu lar nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), dyspeptic symptoms, or alco hol and smoking habits.