Hematological parameters, serum iron and vitamin B(12) levels in hospitalized Palestinian adult patients infected with Helicobacter pylori: a case–control study

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between hematological parameters, serum iron, and vitamin B(12) levels in adult hospitalized Palestinian patients infected with Helicobacter pylori. METHODS: This case–control study included 150 adult (18–50 years old) patients infected with H. pylori and 150 healthy adults. A complete blood count was performed, and serum iron and vitamin B(12) levels of the patients were measured, statistically analyzed and compared with the control group. All parameters in cases were reassessed after the triple treatment of omeprazole 20 mg b.i.d., amoxicillin 1 g b.i.d., and clarithromycin 500 mg b.i.d. for 14 successive days. The triple treatment was the same for males and females. RESULTS: The results revealed that the mean levels of hemoglobin, red cell count, white cell count and hematocrit were significantly lower and the red blood cell distribution width significantly higher in cases compared to controls, while no significant differences were found for mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and platelet count. Serum vitamin B(12) and iron levels were significantly lower in cases compared to controls (262.5 ± 100.0 vs. 378.2 ± 160.6 pg/mL and 71.6 ± 24.8 vs. 80.1 ± 20.7 μg/dL, respectively). Vitamin B(12) and serum iron increased significantly and was restored to close to normal levels after medical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori infection appears to cause decreases in vitamin B(12), iron levels and some hematological parameters. However, these were almost normalized after treatment with omeprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin. H. pylori is associated with vitamin B(12) and iron deficiency, thus, this may be a useful marker and a possible therapeutic agent of anemic patients with gastritis.