Anemia among active Helicobacter pylori infection at the University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City: A case–control study

Background

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection may cause gastric ulcers or extra-gastroduodenal disorders, including iron deficiency anemia. This study aimed to determine the relationship between H. pylori infection and iron deficiency anemia (IDA).

Methods

A case–control study was conducted on participants aged ≥ 18 with an indication for gastric endoscopy. The cases were identified by positive rapid urease tests with biopsy specimens obtained during gastric endoscopy. The controls were negative rapid urease tests. Blood samples from the participants were taken for hematological indices and other iron-related parameters.

Results

A total of 230 participants including 115 cases and 115 controls were eligible for the study. H. pylori positive group had significantly a lower mean value of hemoglobin (P < .001), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) (P < .001), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (P < .001), serum iron (P < .001), and transferrin saturation (TSAT) (p < .001) compared to the counterparts; meanwhile, ferritin levels showed an insignificant difference between 2 groups (P > .05). The rate of iron deficiency anemia was significantly higher in the cases than in the controls (χ2 = 16.05; P < .001). A significant association was found between H. pylori infection and anemia, iron deficiency with age and sex-adjusted ORs of 7.59 (95% CI = 3.83–15.05, P < .001) and 2.12 (95% CI = 1.05–4.25, P = .035), respectively.

Conclusions

Our study found a significant association between H. pylori infection and anemia, and iron deficiency. The relationship between H. pylori infection and iron deficiency anemia has not been conclusively established. H. pylori-infected individuals should be screened for IDA.