Association of Helicobacter Pylori Infection with Oxidative DNA Damage andAtherosclerosis in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Objectives: to evaluate the associations between Helicobacter pylori (HP) with oxidative DNA damage and subclinical atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Methods: Eighty RA patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of anti-HP antibodies. In addition, to forty healthy volunteers. All patients were subjected to DAS-28, ESR , hsCRP ,RF, Anti-CCP, Lipid profiles, serum anti-HP antibodies, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, Oxidized LDL, IL-6,carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) and flow mediated dilatation of the brachial artery (FMD). Results: HP positive RA patients revealed significantly higher disease activity, RF, Anti-CCP, dyslipidemia, 8- OHdG, ox-LDL, cIMT and lower FMD% compared to HP negative patients. There was positive correlation between anti-HP antibodies with disease activity parameters, ox-LDL, 8-OHdG and cIMT as well as negative correlation with FMD℅. In multiple regression analysis, IgG antibodies against H pylori were associated with DAS-28 (p=p<0.001), hsCRP (p=p<0.01), 8-OHdG (p<0.01), cIMT (p<0.001) and FMD℅ (p<0.001). Conclusions: Chronic infection with HP in RA patients is significantly associated with oxidative stress and DNA damage. Detection and eradication of HP infection in RA patients may reduce the burden of atherosclerosis and its associated morbidity and mortality.