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Helicobater pylori plays an important role in the aetiology and development of peptic ulcer disease. The prevalence of H. pylori infection increases with age, and is influenced by low socioeconomic status and poor hygiene owing to person-to-person transmission of the organism by the oral-faecal route. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of H. pylori infection, detected serologically, in elderly patients admitted to a geriatric rehabilitation ward and in a sample of institutionalized old subjects. Nutritional status was also evaluated in order to examine its relation to H. pylori infection. The overall prevalence of H. pylori infection was 70.8%, the prevalence in hospitalized patients being 72.9% and in institutionalized subjects 68.7%. No significant correlation was observed between anti-H. pylori IgG levels and either age or length of stay in the institution. We found no difference between H. pylori positive and negative patients as regards their self-sufficiency and cognitive functions. The prevalence of anti-H. pylori antibodies in the serum was not related to blood variables (including nutritional indices), history of drug consumption (in particular nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), dyspeptic symptoms, or alcohol and smoking habits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]