Can Stomach Infections Increase Alzheimer's Risk?

Recent research suggests that people aged 50 and above with a common stomach infection called Helicobacter pylori might face an 11% higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). The study, conducted over a significant period, focused on individuals with symptoms or serious complications resulting from the H. pylori infection.

HOW WAS THE STUDY DONE?

Scientists conducted a large study to explore the connection between clinically apparent Helicobacter pylori infection (CAHPI) and the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Researchers looked at a group of over 4 million people in the UK aged 50 or older, tracking their health records from 1988 to 2017. For each new case of AD, we compared it with 40 similar individuals. Our analysis used a statistical method to calculate the odds of developing AD for those with CAHPI compared to those without, considering a period of at least two years before the AD diagnosis. As a control, we also examined the impact of salmonellosis, an unrelated condition.

RESULTS:

Out of the 4,262,092 people without dementia, 40,455 developed AD during an average follow-up of 11 years. We found that CAHPI was linked to an 11% higher risk of AD (Odds Ratio, 1.11; 95% Confidence Interval, 1.01–1.21).

Interestingly, salmonellosis showed no such association with AD risk (Odds Ratio, 1.03; 95% Confidence Interval, 0.82–1.29).

CONCLUSIONS:

• CAHPI was tied to an 11% higher risk of AD in individuals aged 50 years and older.
• The peak of this increased risk occurred about ten years after the onset of CAHPI.
• Age and sex did not significantly modify this risk.
• Sensitivity analyses, addressing potential biases, consistently supported these findings.

Source:
https://alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/alz.13561.