The Effect of Helicobacter pylori Infection on Iron Stores and Iron Deficiency in Urban Alaska Native Adults. Issue 3 (15th January 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Miernyk, Karen; Bruden, Dana; Zanis, Carolyn; McMahon, Brian; Sacco, Frank; Hennessy, Thomas; Parkinson, Alan; Bruce, Michael
• Is Part Of: Helicobacter. Volume 18:Issue 3(2013:Jun.)
• Page Start: 222
• Page End: 228
• Publication Date: 2013-01-15
• Subjects: Helicobacter -- Periodicals; Helicobacter infections -- Periodicals; Stomach -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.3301405
• DOI: 10.1111/hel.12036
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1083-4389

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="hel12036-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="hel12036-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p> <italic>Helicobacter pylori</italic> (<italic>H. pylori</italic>) infection has been correlated with low serum ferritin and iron deficiency. As a secondary analysis of a study of <italic>H. pylori</italic> reinfection, we investigated the association of <italic>H. pylori</italic> infection and the effect of its eradication on serum ferritin and iron deficiency.</p> </sec> <sec id="hel12036-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Alaska Native adults undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy had sera collected and a <sup>13</sup>C urea breath test (UBT) was performed. Those <italic>H. pylori</italic> positive were treated with an antibiotic regimen; those who tested negative 2 months after treatment were evaluated at 4, 6, 12, and 24 months by UBT and serum ferritin with an immunoradiometric assay. We excluded persons from further analysis if they were prescribed iron by their provider.</p> </sec> <sec id="hel12036-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>We measured serum ferritin for 241 persons; 121/241 were <italic>H. pylori</italic> positive. The geometric mean ferritin (GMF) for persons with and without <italic>H. pylori</italic> infection was 37 μg/L and 50 μg/L, respectively (<italic>p</italic> = .04). At enrollment, 19/121 <italic>H. pylori</italic>‐positive persons had iron deficiency compared with 8/120 <italic>H. pylori</italic> negative (<italic>p</italic> = .02). Among 66 persons tested at 24 months, the GMF was higher at 24 months (49.6 μg/L) versus enrollment (36.5 μg/L; <italic>p</italic> = .02). Six of 11 persons with iron deficiency at enrollment no longer had iron deficiency and had a higher GMF (<italic>p</italic> = .02) 24 months after treatment.</p> </sec> <sec id="hel12036-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p> <italic>H. pylori</italic> infection was correlated with lower serum ferritin and iron deficiency. After <italic>H. pylori</italic> eradication, serum ferritin increased and approximately half of persons resolved their iron deficiency. Testing for <italic>H. pylori</italic> infection and subsequent treatment of those positive could be considered in persons with unexplained iron deficiency.</p> </sec> </abstract>