THE EFFECT OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI ERADICATION THERAPY ON PLATELET COUNT IN IDIOPATHIC THEROMOBOCYTOPENIA : APILOT STUDY

Abstract

Background and objectives Conflicting reports on the relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and idiopathic thrombocytopenia had previously appeared in the literatures.This study examines the effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication on platelet counts in Iraqi patients with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP).Methods The study population comprised 31 Iraqi patients with chronic ITP and a platelet count of less than 100.0 x109/L and positive serum H pylori antibodies (indirect immunofluorescence). They were divided into two groups, the first (17 patients) received anti H Pylori plus conventional treatment for ITP, the second group (14 patients) received conventional treatment for ITP only. The effect of H pylori eradication on platelet count was evaluated 6 months after therapy.Results There was significant improvement in platelet count in response to conventional treatment in both groups but there were no significant improvement after H Pylori eradication therapy.Conclusions Based on this pilot study eradication of H pylori does not appear to be effective in increasing platelet count in H pylori–positive patients with chronic ITP.