Parkinsonism: siblings share Helicobacter pylori seropositivity and facets of syndrome

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Abstract
Objective ‐ Given a history of peptic ulcer is more frequent in parkinsonism, to investigate the role of Helicobacter pylori in its pathogenesis and of cross‐infection in familial aggregation. Methods ‐ Facets of parkinsonism were quantified in 33 elderly subjects with idiopathic parkinsonism and in their 39 siblings with double the number of controls, all obeying inclusion/exclusion criteria. Specific‐IgG antibody was assayed. Results ‐ Siblings, compared with controls, had brady/hypokinesia of gait (P > 0.002), bradykinesia of hands (P = 0.01), abnormal posture (P = 0.001), rigidity (P H. pylori seropositive [odds ratios 3.04 (95% C.I.: 1.22, 7.63) and 2.94 (1.26, 6.86) respectively, P Conclusion ‐ Familial transmission of chronic infection plus part of syndrome links Helicobacter with causality. Seropositivity not being universal throughout parkinsonism, consequent on gastric atrophy sporadic antibiotic exposure, might explain less aggressive disease in older sufferers.