Helicobacter pylori infection is not correlated with subclinical thrombocytopenia: a cross-sectional study

Platelets. 2014;25(3):221-3. doi: 10.3109/09537104.2013.803063. Epub 2013 Jun 20.

Abstract

In a small percentage of patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), H. pylori eradication has a positive effect on platelet counts. Whether H. pylori infection is associated with a lower thrombocyte count in persons without clinical ITP is unknown. We performed a cross-sectional study to compare thrombocyte count between H. pylori infected (n=108) and H. pylori non-infected patients (n=600) who underwent a diagnostic gastroscopy. The mean thrombocyte count in H. pylori negative patients was 257 × 10(9)/l, in H. pylori positive patients 252 × 10(9)/l (mean difference 5 × 10(9)/l, 95% CI: -23 to 14). Subgroup analysis did not show significant differences either. In the patient group without apparent comorbidity, there were no subjects with thrombocyte counts <120. In 36 H. pylori positive patients in whom data post-eradication was available, platelet counts pre- and post-eradication were similar. In conclusion, this study could not demonstrate a lower thrombocyte count in H. pylori infected patients or in subgroups of H. pylori infected patients compared to non-infected subjects.

MeSH terms

  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Gastroscopy / methods
  • Helicobacter Infections / blood*
  • Helicobacter pylori*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Thrombocytopenia / microbiology*