Helicobacter pylori infection and extradigestive diseases

In the past year, several studies have reported on associations between chronic Helicobacter pylori infection and a variety of extradigestive diseases, including coronary heart disease, blood disorders, liver diseases, and skin diseases. For coronary heart disease, newer and larger studies have suggested stronger associations with H. pylori at younger ages than previously reported at older ages, but further studies are needed to confirm or refute causality. Appropriately large randomized trials of antibacterial treatments are needed to assess the relevance of H. pylori infection to patients with iron deficiency anaemia. The evidence on H. pylori and liver, biliary, and skin diseases is even more preliminary. Curr Opin Gastroenterol 16 (suppl 1):S52-S55 (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.