Objective: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common form of anemia. Impaired intake absorption and blood loss are the main factors in the etiology. Impaired absorption can be caused by a decrease in trace elements such as copper and zinc, which are found in the structure of enzymes that coordinate iron metabolism or act as a catalyst for them, and the existence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), which inhibits iron absorption in the stomach. Serum levels of zinc, copper, and H. pylori antibodies were measured in IDA cases, and correlations with IDA were evaluated.
Patients and methods: The study group was composed of 115 IDA cases who were followed at hematology outpatient clinics, and the control group was composed of 92 gender- and age-matched healthy individuals. Patients were diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia according to hemoglobin, serum ferritin, and iron levels and total iron-binding capacity. Serum zinc, copper, H. pylori immunoglobulin A (HpIgA) and immunoglobulin G (HpIgG), vitamin B12, and folic acid levels were examined in the blood specimens collected.
Results: No statistically significant difference in zinc and copper serum levels between the study and control groups was observed (p > 0.05 for both groups). Although no difference was observed between the HpIgG levels of the two groups, patients with IDA had a statistically significant increase in HpIgA levels (p < 0.05). Pearson's correlation analysis showed that the zinc levels of the IDA group did not have a correlation with any parameters (p < 0.05 for all). Copper levels had a positive correlation with only the HpIgA level in the IDA group (r = 0.222, p = 0.017).
Conclusions: Trace elements and H. pylori infection did not have a correlation with IDA. Elevated levels of HpIgA and positive correlation of HpIgA with copper levels were observed. The literature review clearly suggests that several points require further explanation, and extensive research with larger samples is required.