Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with hematological diseases

ABSTRACT

Helicobacter pylori [H. pylori] is a well known bacterial pathogen implicated in gastric diseases. Some studies refer to it's possible role in some hematological diseases. The aim of this study is to determine the association between Helicobacter pylori infection and some hematological diseases. This is a case-control study of 337 patients with a hematological disease [including acute and chronic leukaemias, Hodgkin's and non Hodgkin's lymphomas, hairy cell leukaemia, multiple myeloma, immune thrombocytopenic purpura and aplastic anemia] who were admitted to or attended hematology center at Marjan Teaching Hospital - Babylon - Iraq during the period from 1/7/2006 to 1/1/2009. Age and sex matched control group of 337 patients who have no hematological disease. They were taken during the same period and from the same geographical area [Babylon go vernorate]. Tests for H. pylori were done for both groups using One Step H. pylori Test Device with 93.7% total accuracy rate. H. pylori test was positive in 33.5% [113/337] and 37.3% [126/337] of control and patient groups respectively, while dyspeptic symptoms were found in 18.1% [61/337] and 39.4% [133/337] of control and patient groups respectively. There was no significant association between H. pylori infection and hematological diseases tested in this study in Iraqi patients from Babylon, however dyspeptic symptoms were more common in patients on steroids or chemotherapy