Helicobacter pylori and Hematologic Diseases / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

Helicobacter pylori has been considered as the possible etiology in many extragastric disease. Hematologic diseases such as immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and iron-deficiency anemia have been proposed to associate with H. pylori infection, although the hypothesis of an etiological role has not yet been fully investigated. Systematic reviews and meta-analysis have shown a significant increase of platelet counts in ITP patients in whom eradiation was successful compared with untreated, failed eradication or H. pylori-negative patients. H. pylori infection has emerged as a one of causes of refractory iron-deficiency anemia which is unresponsiveness to oral iron therapy. A link between H. pylori infection and iron- deficiency anemia was shown in recent meta-analyses and H. pylori eradication increased hemoglobin levels in these patients. The effect of H. pylori on iron stores may be greatest in those with marginal dietary iron intake or other stressors of iron stores. The guideline of Korean College of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research (2009) and other guidelines of western and Japan recommend that H. pylori should be sought and eradicated in the patients with ITP and unexplained iron-deficiency anemia.