The effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication on proteinuria in patients with primary glomerulonephritis

Glomerulonephritis is still the primary cause among the diseases causing end stage renal disease. Helicobacter pylori (HP), also having a local proinflammatory effect on gastric mucosa, can trigger a local and systemic inflammatory response, and consequently have a role in the development of extragastrointestinal defects.

The study was composed of patients diagnosed with primary glomerulonephritis who had dyspeptic complaints throughout the diagnosis. Patients who received endoscopic biopsy upon the determination of pathologic findings in their upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were HP positive in their biopsy material. A triple eradication therapy was initiated for HP.

The study included 14 female and 19 male patients, 33 in total, whose biopsy material was determined to be HP positive. Before the eradication for HP, we found serum albumin to be 34.0 (19.0-51.0) g/l, serum total protein 58.6 ±12.9 g/l, serum creatinine 0.9 (0.5-1.2) and proteinuria 3069 (652-12392) mg/day in 24-hour urine. After the eradication, however, serum albumin was found to be 40 (20-52) g/l, serum total protein 62.3 ±11.1 g/l, serum creatinine 1.02 (0.6-1.29) mg/dl and proteinuria was 2850 (172-15181) mg/day in 24-hour urine. A comparison of the results showed that a statistically significant difference is established between the serum albumin, total protein and creatinine values (p = 0.001, p = 0.001 and p = 0.021, respectively), but not between proteinuria values in 24-hour urine (p = 0.990).

Patients with primary glomerulonephritis, HP eradication treatment has an effect on serum albumin levels.