Over-time changes of Helicobacter pylori infection rate in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Dear Sir, Many studies have shown that patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) exhibit a lower prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection ( Hp ) compared with the normal population.1 During the 21st century, a decrease in the incidence of both gastric cancer and peptic ulcer was noticed, concurrently accompanied by an increase in the incidence of IBD. These changes in the epidemiology of IBD and gastric disorders have been attributed –among others– to the decline in the rate of Hp infection in the general population.2 So far, there are no data concerning over-time …