May 2004
Volume 45, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   May 2004
The "dry eye" syndrome and the gastral helicobacter pylori infection: Pilot study about a possible existing epidemiological relationship.
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • L. Blomberg
    Dept. of Ophthalmology, Medical School of Hannover, Hannover, Germany
  • S. Hauschild
    Dept. of Ophthalmology, Medical School of Hannover, Hannover, Germany
  • R. Gockeln
    Dept. of Ophthalmology, Medical School of Hannover, Hannover, Germany
  • H. Brewitt
    Dept. of Ophthalmology, Medical School of Hannover, Hannover, Germany
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships  L. Blomberg, None; S. Hauschild, None; R. Gockeln, None; H. Brewitt, None.
  • Footnotes
    Support  none
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science May 2004, Vol.45, 3903. doi:
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      L. Blomberg, S. Hauschild, R. Gockeln, H. Brewitt; The "dry eye" syndrome and the gastral helicobacter pylori infection: Pilot study about a possible existing epidemiological relationship. . Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2004;45(13):3903.

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Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: In some single recent publications the Helicobacter pylori (H.P.) Infection was related to Sjoegren syndrome and Acne rosacea. These diseases are well known to be connected with the dry eye syndrome. Moreover, a role for H. pylori has also been postulated in the MALT–Lymphoma of the stomach and coronary heart disease. Methods: Patients with dyspepsia, who are elected for gastroscopy, were interviewed prospectively by an specific evaluation form for the dry eye concerning their subjective symptoms. A standard clinical examination was made and patients were classified for a certain sicca–stage. The sicca–stages ranged from stage 0 (no dry eye signs) over stage 2 ( mild dry eye syndrome with reduced schirmers test) to stage 4 (severe dry eye syndrome). After gastroscopy and a positive helicobacter–serology an eradication was recommended. Results: 53 patients (106 eyes) were examined prospectively. 33 patients were H.P. negative, 20 H.P. positive. The patients age differs between 20 and 66 years ( mean age 36 years). Most of the patients (35.8%) were belonging to sicca–stage 1. In the statistic evaluation, the H.P. positive patients show increased signs of quantitative moisturizing disorders (e.g. reduced schirmers test). Qualitative parameters as break up time and lid parallel conjunctival folds showed no relation to H.P. infection but were significantly age related (p < 0.01). Conclusions: An epidemiological association between helicobacter pylori infection and the dry eye syndrome seems to be more than possible. Further examinations shall give information if helicobacter eradication leads to an improvement of the dry eye symptoms. A bigger number of patients should help to confirm the clinical supposition in the long term.

Keywords: cornea: tears/tear film/dry eye • conjunctivitis • bacterial disease 
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