Objective: Helicobacter pylori (HP) eradication treats peptic ulcers, gastric lymphoma, or adenocarcinoma. Although, there are effects on the rheumatic disease activity. The aim of the study was to systematically review the HP eradication effects on rheumatic diseases.

Materials and Methods: We systematically search PubMed for articles on HP eradication effects in rheumatic diseases between 1966 and August 2022. No language limitation was used. Scielo, PubMed, and Web of Science were the database analyzed.

Results: 13 articles were published in this field, with 42,327 patients. We found studies on the following rheumatic diseases: rheumatoid arthritis (n=4), antiphospholipid syndrome (n=1), Behçet’s disease (n=1), Henoch-Schönlein purpura (n=1), systemic lupus erythematosus (n=1), Rowell syndrome (n=1), Sjögren’s syndrome (n=1), and fibromyalgia (n=1). One study included patients with systemic sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, vasculitis, pemphigus, Sicca syndrome, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. The range of the age in the studies varied from 33 to 62 years old; 37% to 100% were females. Follow-up trials ranged from 2 months to 31 years. Regarding HP eradication effects, 10/13 (77%) of the studies observed an improvement in the rheumatic diseases, 2 studies verified a decrease in the incidence of lupus and Henoch-Shönlein purpura, and 3 studies confirmed a worsening of the rheumatic condition. Side effects were mild, and no patient stopped the treatment.

Conclusions: This systematic review demonstrates that HP eradication positively affects rheumatic disease activity and may reduce the risk of lupus and Henoch-Schonlein purpura. Nonetheless, more prospective studies are desired to confirm the present data.