Association between the severity of helicobacter pylori infection and different hematological parameters

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori infection is a global public health problem that is affecting both developed and developing countries. Approximately 50% (over 3 billion) of the world's population is infected with Helicobacter pylori, mainly in developing countries. H. pylori is a gram-negative bacterium that is commonly found in the stomach. The vast majority of H.pylori-infected people show no symptoms and never develop any problems. However, this bacterium is capable of causing ulcers and less commonly stomach cancer. Recently, its association with some hematological abnormalities has been found. Compared to other developing countries, in Bangladesh, the rate of H. pylori infection is particularly high. However, limited studies have been conducted regarding the relationship between hematological parameters with H. pylori infection in Bangladesh. Thus, the objective of our study was to determine the correlation between different selected hematological parameters and H. pylori infections of different intensities. A total of 697 patients, 290 males, and 407 females, who were suspected H. pylori patients, were included in the study. The suspected patients infected with H. pylori titer less than 30 U/ml were considered H. pylori negative and more than 30 U/ml were under H. pylori-positive group. Patients in H. pylori-positive group were divided into a subgroup of severe intensity (titer more than 50 U/ml). Our study found a weak positive correlation between Lymphocyte and H.pylori (p= 0.0253*) and between Neutrophil to Platelet ratio (NPR) and H.pylori (p=0.008*) in the H.pylori-positive group. In the sub-group of severe intensity, a weak positive correlation between Hemoglobin and H.pylori (p= 0.01126*) and between NPR and H.pylori (p= 0.0362*) was observed. There was a very weak negative correlation found between Platelet and H.pylori (p= 0.0005*) and between Platelet to Lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and H.pylori (p= 0.0001*) in the H.pylori-positive group. In the severe intensity group, a weak negative correlation between Platelet and H.pylori (p= 0.01074*) and between PLR and H.pylori (p= 0.0034*) was observed.