[Frequency of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with liver cirrhosis]

Ulcer disease occurrence is increased among patients with liver cirrhosis. It is widely accepted that Helicobacter pylori infection is important in aetiology of ulcer disease. The role of Helicobacter pylori infection in pathogenesis of ulcer disease in patients with liver cirrhosis has not been satisfactorily explored yet.

The aim of this study was to determine frequencies of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with liver cirrhosis in relation to the aetiology of cirrhosis, clinical stage and concomitant ulcer disease.

We studied 50 patients with liver cirrhosis analysing the aetiology of liver cirrhosis, clinical stage, presence of ulcer disease, and existence of Helicobacter pylori infection. Results were thoroughly analysed and compared.

Among 50 studied subjects, 37 were male (average age 56.62 +/- 10.47 years), while 13 were female (average age 60.69 +/- 6.51 years). In 32 (64%) patients, liver cirrhosis was related to alcohol abuse, whereas in remaining 16 (36%) subjects, cirrhosis was due to chronic viral infection. Ulcer disease, determined by endoscopy, was present in 8 (16%) patients, although 18 (36%) subjects were Helicobacter pylori positive. There were no significant differences in occurrences of Helicobacter pylori infection amongst the patients with and without ulcer disease (chi2 = 0.923; p > 0.05). No significant difference was found for the clinical stage and type of ulcer disease (chi2 = 0.869; p > 0.05). The difference in presence of Helicobacter pylori infection and aetiology of liver cirrhosis appeared to be of no significance, either (F = 0.540; p > 0.05). The presence of Helicobacter pylori infection in different clinical stages seemed to be of statistical significance (chi2 = 7.0; p < 0.05).

The obtained results indicate that the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with liver cirrhosis is lower compared to general population, and that is of no significance for ulcer disease in these subjects. Moreover, it is likely that the frequency of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with liver cirrhosis is not related to the aetiology of cirrhosis, while this infection seems to be more frequently present in severe clinical forms of hepatic cirrhosis.