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Helicobacter pylori seroprevalence in cirrhotic patients with hepatitis B virus infection
A Ponzetto1, R Pellicano, N Leone
1Department of Gastroenterology, Ospedale S Giovanni Battista, C.so Bramante 88, 10126, Torino, Italy. ponzetto@tin.it
Insights
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is highly prevalent in patients with liver cirrhosis, occurring in 89% of cases. This high prevalence may contribute to the frequent development of peptic ulcers in this patient group.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Hepatology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Liver cirrhosis poses a significant health burden, leading to high hospitalization rates.
- Cirrhotic patients frequently experience upper gastrointestinal complications like peptic ulcers and bleeding.
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a known risk factor for peptic ulcer disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of H. pylori infection in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related liver cirrhosis.
- To compare H. pylori infection rates between cirrhotic patients and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study was conducted.
- 45 male patients with HBV-related cirrhosis were compared to 310 sex- and age-matched blood donors.
- Antibodies against H. pylori were measured to assess infection status.
Main Results:
- H. pylori infection was detected in 89% of cirrhotic patients (40/45).
- In comparison, 59% of blood donors (183/310) tested positive for H. pylori.
- The difference in prevalence between the groups was statistically significant (P<0.001).
Conclusions:
- Hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis is associated with a significantly higher prevalence of H. pylori infection.
- The elevated H. pylori infection rate in cirrhotic patients may explain the high incidence of gastroduodenal ulcers in this population.
Abstract:
Liver cirrhosis is a significant cause of death in Italy and one of the most frequent causes of hospitalization. The burden of cirrhotic patients on the National Health System is extremely high due to the frequent need for medical care. Acute peptic ulcer and upper gastrointestinal bleeding reportedly occur in over one-third of cirrhotic patients. Since Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection strongly correlates with peptic ulcer, we wished to ascertain the prevalence of H. pylori infection in cirrhotic patients. In a case-control study we looked for this infection in 45 consecutive male patients suffering from hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related cirrhosis and 310 sex and age matched blood donors resident in the same area. Antibodies against H. pylori were present in 40/45 (89%) patients and 183/310 (59%) blood donors (P<0.001). This very high prevalence of H. pylori may explain the frequent occurrence of gastroduodenal ulcer in cirrhotic patients. (See Editorial p. 203)