title: Effect of eradication of Helicobacter pylori on platelet recovery in patients with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: a controlled trial.
abstract: Several recent studies have suggested that an association exists between Helicobacter pylori (HP) eradication and improvement in platelet count in a significant proportion of patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). In this controlled study, we prospectively examined adult patients with chronic ITP for HP infection, and assessed the effect of HP eradication on platelet count. One hundred forty-two consecutive Iranian patients with chronic ITP were assessed. Those who met the criteria and had platelet counts >30 x 10(9)/L within the medication-free screening month were enrolled (n = 129; 66 females; mean age, 29.2 +/- 7.0 years). HP-positive patients received a 2-week course of triple HP eradication therapy (i.e., amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and omeprazole) and were followed for 48 weeks. An ITP response was defined as a platelet count of >100 x 10(9)/L 24 weeks after treatment, together with an increase in the platelet count >30 x 10(9)/L over the baseline value. HP infection was detected in 79 (61%) patients. HP-positive patients were significantly older than HP-negative subjects (P = 0.018). HP eradication was successful in 87% (62/71) of those who completed the eradication therapy. Whereas 48% (30/62) of HP-eradicated patients showed an ITP response, no HP-negative patient had an ITP response. The ITP response persisted for 48 weeks in 93% (28/30) of the responders. The ITP responders had a shorter disease duration than the nonresponders (P = 0.002). The management of mild-to-moderate chronic ITP in Iranian patients, especially those with a recent onset of disease, should include an investigation for and eradication of infection with HP.
authors.affiliation: Hematology Department, Shaheed Modarres Medical Center, Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Nematollah
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rostami
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Keshtkar-Jahromi
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rahnavardi
authors.forename: Marzieh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Keshtkar-Jahromi
authors.forename: Fatemeh Soghra
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Esfahani
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017291:Clarithromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery; D013156:Splenectomy
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000658:Amoxicillin; D017291:Clarithromycin; D009853:Omeprazole