Frequency of Helicobactor pylori infection among adult patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia: A Pakistani Perspective

Objective: Many studies have reported an association between chronic immune thrombocytopenia and Helicobactor pylori infection. Significant improvement in platelet count is seen after eradication therapy. We looked for the frequency of H. pylori infection in immune thrombocytopenia and clinico-hematological features. Material and Method: A prospective case-control study was conducted from January 2009 to December 2011. One hundred and ten chronic immune thrombocytopenic patients and 40 control subjects were enrolled. H. pylori infection was documented by H. pylori stool antigen enzyme immunoassay method. Results: H. pylori infection in immune thrombocytopenic patients was seen in 45 cases (40.9%) and in 24 (60%) controls; not significant statistically. No significant differences were seen in H. pylori positive and negative patients with respect to maternal characteristics and clinical features except for mean platelet count, which was lower in H. pylori negative group (P = 0.035). Conclusion: Unlike many related studies, we found no significant difference between the frequencies of cases versus controls. Degree of thrombocytopenia appears more marked in H pylori negative patients.