Helicobacter pylori seroprevalence in hepatitis C virus positive patients with cirrhosis. The Como cross-sectional study.
BACKGROUND
Liver cirrhosis is a significant cause of death in Italy and one of the most frequent causes of hospitalization. Acute peptic ulcer and upper gastrointestinal bleeding reportedly occur in over 15% of cirrhotic patients. Since Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection strongly correlates with peptic ulcer, we sought to ascertain the seroprevalence of H. pylori infection in cirrhotic patients.


METHODS
In a cross-sectional study, we examined 52 consecutive patients (31 female and 21 male, age range 54-82, mean 68.7 years) suffering from hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis attending the Unit of Gastroenterology of the Valduce Hospital of Como (Italy).


RESULTS
The prevalence of antibodies against H. pylori was 86.5% (45/52) in the cirrhotics. Of female patients 28/31 (90.3%) were seropositive as compared to 17 of 21 (80.9%) of male patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The very high prevalence of H. pylori infection may explain the frequent occurrence of gastroduodenal ulcer in cirrhotic patients.
Spinzi
G
G
Gastroenterology Unit, Valduce Hospital, Como, Italy.
Pellicano
R
R
Minoli
G
G
Terreni
N
N
Cutufia
M A
MA
Fagoonee
S
S
Rizzetto
M
M
Ponzetto
A
A
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000276:immunology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies