The relationship of Helicobacter pylori to iron status--serum ferritin and hemoglobin. a seroepidemiologic survey of 2794 Danes
Milman, N.; Rosenstock, S.J.; Andersen, L.P.; Jørgensen, T.; Bonnevie, O.
Ugeskrift for Laeger 162(11): 1564-1567
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-5782 PMID: 10868113 Document Number: 520717
We evaluated the influence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection assessed by the levels of H. pylori serum IgG-antibodies, on iron status (serum ferritin and haemoglobin) in 2794 Danes (1425 men), aged 30-60 years. The seroprevalence of H. pylori antibodies increased with age (p < 0.01). Median serum ferritin levels were significantly lower in seropositive than in seronegative men and postmenopausal women (men 114 micrograms/L vs. 120 micrograms/L, p = 0.01; premenopausal women 37 micrograms/L vs. 40 micrograms/L, p = 0.13; postmenopausal women 63 micrograms/L vs. 77 micrograms/L, p = 0.02). Seropositive subjects had a higher prevalence of iron deficiency (serum ferritin < 15 micrograms/L) than seronegative subjects. H. pylori infection has a negative influence on iron status. We hypothesize that this may be caused by increased blood losses from the gastric mucosa.