Helicobacter pylori infection in people who are intellectually and developmentally disabled: A review

Abstract

The Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacterium has been classified by the World Health Organization as a type 1 carcinogen with associations to the development of peptic and gastric ulcers, gastric carcinoma and primary B-cell lymphoma. Individuals who have intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities (IDDD) exhibit H. pylori gastric infection at approximately twice the rate of the general population and have recurrences after triple drug treatment at a rate nearly seven times that of the general population. Gastrointestinal malignancy is reported to account for almost 50% of all cancer deaths in this population. Oral-oral and fecal-oral routes are theorized to be the primary modes of transmission for the ingestion of the bacterium. Maladaptive behaviors exhibited by individuals who have IDDD can be considered risk factors for H. pylori infection since H. pylori has been cultivated from vomitus, saliva, and feces. The purpose of this paper is to review information regarding Helicobacter pylori infection in persons with IDDD and highlight the significance of oral infection.