Association between infection of Helicobacter pylori and iron deficiency anemia of unknown origin: a systematic review.
Association between infection of Helicobacter pylori and iron deficiency anemia of unknown origin: a systematic review.

Summary/Abstract: Infection with Helicobacter pylori, a Gram-negative bacterium, is common worldwide, affecting approximately 50% of the world’s population. Complications arising from H. pylori infections can have serious health consequences. In addition to gastritis, peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer, conditions widely described in the literature, scientists are also examining the connection between H. pylori infection and the development of iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Iron is an element necessary for the proper functioning of red blood cells and for proper human development, starting in utero. Iron deficiency is the most common micronutrient deficiency in the world. The unknown etiology of iron deficiency and, consequently, anemia, is a serious problem for clinicians, but also provides an opportunity for scientific research. The aim of this paper is to review the literature investigating links between H. pylori infection and IDA development. The literature review was carried out using Google Scholar and PubMed, and took into account the mechanism of H. pylori infection in IDA development, and the impact of this microorganism on iron metabolism and hematological parameters. The research on iron management and hematological parameters to date has produced varying results. In some cases, the worsening of laboratory results characteristic of IDA was associated with the presence of H. pylori infection. However, there are plenty of studies showing no association between IDA and ongoing infection. Thus, due to insufficient research on the potential mechanistic links between infection and anemia, the influence of H. pylori infection on IDA development cannot be clearly defined.

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