title: Reversal of iron deficiency anemia after Helicobacter pylori eradication in patients with asymptomatic gastritis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Iron deficiency anemia is the most common form of anemia worldwide. Recent studies have suggested an association between Helicobacter pylori infection and iron deficiency.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of eradicating H. pylori with combination antibiotic therapy on iron deficiency anemia in patients with H. pylori-associated gastritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  University hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  30 patients with a long history of iron deficiency anemia in whom H. pylori-associated gastritis was the only pathologic gastrointestinal finding detected.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eradication therapy with two antibiotics and discontinuation of iron replacement therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Complete blood count, ferritin levels, and gastroscopy with biopsy to evaluate H. pylori status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 6 months, 75% of patients had recovered from anemia (P<0.001), ferritin values increased from 5.7+/-0.7 microg/L to 24.5+/-5.2 microg/L (95% CI, 8.85 to 29.97). After 12 months, 91.7% of patients had recovered from anemia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cure of H. pylori infection is associated with reversal of iron dependence and recovery from iron deficiency anemia.
authors.affiliation: University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Annibale
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marignani
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Monarca
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Antonelli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marcheggiano
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Martino
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mandelli
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Caprilli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Delle Fave
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D005756:Gastritis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005773:Gastroscopy; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005293:Ferritins