Hemogolbin, ferritin, vitamin B12 and halicobacter pylori infection: a study in patients who underwent upper gi endoscopy at civil hospital karachi.

Objective: To compare hemoglobin, ferritin, and vitamin B12 levels in patients undergoing upper GI endoscopy according to their Helicobacter pylori status.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of the Study: Civil Hospital and Lyari General Hospitals, Karachi, from March 2004 to June 2006.

Patients And Methods: All patients undergoing upper GI Endoscopy were selected, while patients of active peptic ulcers, malignancy, varices, malabsorption and recent blood donation were excluded. Blood samples for CBC, serum ferritin and vitamin B12 were collected and H.pylori status was ascertained by urease test on gastric biopsy. Differences in mean values of age, ferritin, hemoglobin, MCV and vitamin B12 were done by student's 't-test'. Significant confounding factors were identified on multivariate analysis and were further analyzed by univariate analysis.

Results: Two hundred and eighty-five subjects were studied, including 171 males and 114 females. H.pylori was positive in 214 (75.1%) patients. Significantly low levels of hemoglobin (p =0.0), ferritin (p = 0.0) and vitamin B12 (p = 0.0) were found in patients with H. pylori infection. Gender, menopause, contraception and history of peptic ulcer disease were identified as significant confounders.

Conclusions: Significantly low levels of hemoglobin, ferritin and vitamin B12 were found in patients with H.pylori infection.