title: The effect of Helicobacter pylori infection on iron stores and iron deficiency in urban Alaska Native adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection has been correlated with low serum ferritin and iron deficiency. As a secondary analysis of a study of H. pylori reinfection, we investigated the association of H. pylori infection and the effect of its eradication on serum ferritin and iron deficiency.
  
  
  METHODS
  Alaska Native adults undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy had sera collected and a (13) C urea breath test (UBT) was performed. Those H. pylori positive were treated with an antibiotic regimen; those who tested negative 2 months after treatment were evaluated at 4, 6, 12, and 24 months by UBT and serum ferritin with an immunoradiometric assay. We excluded persons from further analysis if they were prescribed iron by their provider.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We measured serum ferritin for 241 persons; 121/241 were H. pylori positive. The geometric mean ferritin (GMF) for persons with and without H. pylori infection was 37 μg/L and 50 μg/L, respectively (p = .04). At enrollment, 19/121 H. pylori-positive persons had iron deficiency compared with 8/120 H. pylori negative (p = .02). Among 66 persons tested at 24 months, the GMF was higher at 24 months (49.6 μg/L) versus enrollment (36.5 μg/L; p = .02). Six of 11 persons with iron deficiency at enrollment no longer had iron deficiency and had a higher GMF (p = .02) 24 months after treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  H. pylori infection was correlated with lower serum ferritin and iron deficiency. After H. pylori eradication, serum ferritin increased and approximately half of persons resolved their iron deficiency. Testing for H. pylori infection and subsequent treatment of those positive could be considered in persons with unexplained iron deficiency.
authors: Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Anchorage, AK, USA. kmiernyk@cdc.gov
authors: Karen
authors: K
authors: Miernyk
authors: Dana
authors: D
authors: Bruden
authors: Carolyn
authors: C
authors: Zanis
authors: Brian
authors: B
authors: McMahon
authors: Frank
authors: F
authors: Sacco
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Hennessy
authors: Alan
authors: A
authors: Parkinson
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Bruce
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000413:Alaska; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D004930:Inuit; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014505:Urban Population
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron