The Association of Helicobacter pylori With Portal Hypertensive Gastropathy in Patients With and Without Cirrhosis

Introduction: Cirrhosis and its associated complication of portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG), among others, remain a significant cause of death in resource-poor countries with limited capacity for liver transplantation. This research aimed to assess the association of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) with portal hypertensive gastropathy and its severity in patients with and without cirrhosis. Methodology: The study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan from April 2021 to May 2022. Liver cirrhosis was diagnosed by clinical manifestations, ultrasonography, and laboratory investigations. The severity of liver cirrhosis was assessed using the Child-Pugh scoring system. The association of H. pylori with portal hypertensive gastropathy in patients with and without cirrhosis was assessed using the chi-square test. Results: A total of 120 patients participated in the study, of which 40 were without liver cirrhosis, while 80 were with cirrhosis. Among patients with cirrhosis, 24 were in Child-Pugh class A, 26 in class B, and 30 in class C. Of patients with liver cirrhosis who were H. pylori-negative, 37.5% (15/40) had portal hypertensive gastropathy. Of these, 12.5% (5/40) had severe PHG, while 25% (10/40) had mild PHG. Of patients with liver cirrhosis who were H. pylori-positive, 62.5% (25/40) had PHG. Of these, 2.5% (1/40) had severe PHG, while 60% (24/40) had mild PHG. Helicobacter pylori contributed nonsignificantly (p=0.080), showing no association with portal hypertensive gastropathy. Conclusion: Helicobacter pylori does not appear to have any significant association to cause or worsen portal hypertensive gastropathy in patients with liver cirrhosis.