Investigation of the association between glaucoma and Helicobacter pylori infection using the 14C-urea breath test

Arq Bras Oftalmol. 2015 Jul-Aug;78(4):229-31. doi: 10.5935/0004-2749.20150059.

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the association between glaucoma and Helicobacter pylori infection by evaluating for the presence of H. pylori infection in patients with glaucoma using the 14C-urea breath test (14C-UBT).

Methods: Using 14C-UBT, H. pylori infection positivity was compared between a group of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and a control group with normal intraocular pressure and a normal optic disc or normal perimetry.

Results: The 14C-UBT was positive in 18 (51.42%) out of 35 patients in the glaucoma group and in 15 (42.85%) out of 35 patients in the control group. H. pylori infection positivity rates were similar between the glaucoma and control groups (p>0.05).

Conclusion: According to the 14C-UBT, there is no association between primary open-angle glaucoma and H. pylori infection.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Breath Tests / methods
  • Carbon Radioisotopes*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Glaucoma, Open-Angle / microbiology*
  • Helicobacter Infections / diagnosis*
  • Helicobacter pylori / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Urea / analysis*

Substances

  • Carbon Radioisotopes
  • Urea