Helicobacter pylori and respiratory diseases: 2021 update

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a Gram-negative bacterium involved in the development of gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, gastric adenocarcinoma, and gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue. Unexplained iron deficiency anemia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and vitamin B12 deficiency have also been related to H. pylori infection, whereas for other extra-gastric diseases, the debate is still open. In this review, we evaluate and discuss the potential involvement of H. pylori infection in the pathogenesis of several respiratory diseases. A MEDLINE search of all studies published in English from 1965 to 2021 was carried out. Controversial findings have been reported in patients with bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis, lung cancer, tuberculosis, cystic fibrosis, and sarcoidosis. Most of the available literature is concerned with case-control studies based on seroprevalence, with a small sample size and low consideration of confounders, which represents a potential issue. So far, there is no clear evidence of a causal association between H. pylori infection and respiratory diseases, and larger studies with appropriate epidemiological design are required

Hepatitis C virus infection and lichen planus: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Oral Diseases (2010) doi: 10.1111/j.1601-0825.2010.01670.x Objective: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the major causes of chronic liver disease worldwide but its morbidity is also due to a variety of extra-hepatic manifestations including mixed cryoglubulinemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, diabetes, porphyria cutanea tarda and lichen planus. The aims of this study were to conduct a systematic review and a meta-analysis on the prevalence of HCV in lichen planus patients and on the prevalence of lichen planus in chronic HCV infection. Materials and Method: Bibliographic searches were conducted in several electronic databases. Pooled data were analysed by calculating odds ratios, using a random effects model. Results and Conclusions: Thirty-three studies comparing the seroprevalence of HCV in lichen planus patients and six reporting the prevalence of lichen planus in patients with HCV infection were included in the meta-analysis. The summary estimate showed that LP patients have significantly higher risk (odds ratio 4.85; 95% confidence interval 3.58-6.56) than controls of being HCV seropositive. A similar odds ratio of having lichen planus was found among HCV patients (4.47; 95% confidence interval 1.84-10.86). Sub-analyses indicated that variability of HCV/lichen planus association seemed only partially depending on geographic effect

People should be allowed to do what they like’: Autistic adults’ views and experiences of stimming

This is the final version. Available from the publisher via the DOI in this record.Data from participants who consented will be deposited in the UK Data Service, in 2019.‘Stereotyped or repetitive motor movements’ are characterised as core features in the diagnosis of autism, yet many autistic adults (and the neurodiversity movement) have reclaimed them as ‘stimming’. Supported by a growing body of scientific research, autistic adults argue that these behaviours may serve as useful coping mechanisms, yet little research has examined stimming from the perspective of autistic adults. Through interviews and focus groups, we asked 32 autistic adults to share their perceptions and experiences of stimming, including the reasons they stim, any value doing so may hold for them and their perceptions of others’ reactions to stimming. Using thematic analysis, we identified two themes: stimming as (1) a self-regulatory mechanism and (2) lacking in social acceptance, but can become accepted through understanding. Autistic adults highlighted the importance of stimming as an adaptive mechanism that helps them to soothe or communicate intense emotions or thoughts and thus objected to treatment that aims to eliminate the behaviour.Wellcome TrustLeverhulme Trus