Proven link between primary open-angle glaucoma, Alzheimer's disease and infection with Helicobacter Pylori.
News on the neurodegenerative disease front from research, published in the March issue of BMC Ophthalmology, examining the link between primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), forms of dementia (primarily Alzheimer's disease) and Helicobacter Pylori.
To fully understand the significance of these results, some preliminary data must be taken into account.
POAG is now the second leading cause of blindness in the world, while Alzheimer's disease is one of the leading causes of dementia, affecting more than 30 million people worldwide. Its incidence is growing and it is estimated that the number of sufferers could reach 100 million by 2050.
Helicobacter pylori is a widespread Gram-negative bacterium found in the stomach. It has been shown to cause an inflammatory response (gastritis) by altering the pH of the stomach and secreting protease and VacA. It is also implicated in the development of gastroduodenal ulcer, stomach cancer, MALT lymphoma and colorectal cancer.
A link between the two neurodegenerative diseases and between them and H. pylori infection had long been hypothesised, both epidemiologically and aetiologically. While previous studies had reached contradictory results, the new research confirmed the hypothesis to be tested.
The study was conducted at the Department of Ophthalmology of the Hippokrateion General Hospital in Thessaloniki (Greece), by a team led by Dr. Fani Tsolaki, and involved 156 participants, 60 of whom suffered from dementia and 35 from POAG.
The authors discovered a number of positive correlations:
- infection by H. pylori recurs more frequently in patients with neurodegenerative diseases: 68.33% in patients with dementia compared to 45.16% in the control group.
- Glaucomatous disease is more frequent in patients with dementia than in the control group (16.66% vs. 0%).
- Dementia is more frequent in patients with glaucoma than in the control group (16.66% vs. 0%).
The positive correlation between the two neurodegenerative diseases and H. pylori infection demonstrated in this study may have important practical applications for patients in the near future. First of all, eradication of H. pylori infection should be promoted as a preventive measure against dementia and glaucoma.
It is also conceivable to set up a diagnostic examination routine for glaucoma in dementia patients and for dementia in glaucoma patients, which could have a positive impact on the quality of life of these patients.
Read more the BMG article in full
Dr. Carmelo Chines
Direttore responsabile
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