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Helicobacter Pylori May Be Protective Against MS

Mult Scler Relat Disord; ePub 2016 Mar 30; Jaruvongvanich, et al

Publish date:: April 26, 2016

There is a significantly lower prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and the pathogen might be a protective factor against developing disease, according to a recent study. A meta-analysis was performed from their dates of inception to January 2016. Researchers examined the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among people with MS and controls. Data was extracted from 6 observational studies involving 1,902 participants. They found:

• There was a statistically significant lower odds of Helicobacter pylori infection in those with MS, with pooled odds ratio of 0.59.

• Age of patient and age of onset of MS were significant predictors of the association between Helicobacter pylori infection and MS.

Citation: Jaruvongvanich V, Sanguankeo A, Jaruvongvanich S, Upala S. Association between Helicobacter pylori infection and multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. [Published online ahead of print March 30, 2016]. Mult Scler Relat Disord. doi:10.1016/j.msard.2016.03.01.

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