Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Patients with Helicobacter Pylori Infection

Abdul Wahab; Khalid Shahab; Muhib Rahman; Usman Ghani; Muhammad Bilal

doi:10.54112/bcsrj.v6i5.2237

Authors

Abdul Wahab Department of Medicine, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, Pakistan
Khalid Shahab Department of Medicine, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, Pakistan
Muhib Rahman Rehman Medical Institute, Peshawar, Pakistan
Usman Ghani Rehman Medical Institute, Peshawar, Pakistan
Muhammad Bilal Department of Medicine, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54112/bcsrj.v6i5.2237

Keywords:

Helicobacter pylori, vitamin B12 deficiency, socioeconomic status

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori infection is a common gastrointestinal infection and may contribute to micronutrient deficiencies, including vitamin B12 deficiency, through impaired gastric function and reduced nutrient absorption. Evidence regarding the frequency of vitamin B12 deficiency among infected patients remains clinically relevant, particularly in resource-limited settings. Objective: To determine the frequency of vitamin B12 deficiency in patients with Helicobacter pylori infection. Methods: This study was conducted on 185 patients using a non-probability sampling technique in the General Medicine Department, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, from 29-06-2023 to 29-12-2023. Patients aged 18 to 70 years, of both genders, with a positive H. pylori stool antigen test were included. Patients with chronic liver disease, renal disease, immunodeficiency disorders, and pregnancy were excluded. Vitamin B12 deficiency was diagnosed using a blood test, with values below 160 pg/mL (118 pmol/L) considered deficient. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS 21. Stratification was performed using the chi-square test, with a p-value ≤ 0.05 considered significant. Results: The mean age of 185 patients was 42.73±15.77 years. Males were 106 (57.3%), and females were 79 (42.7%). Vitamin B12 deficiency was observed in 58 (31.4%) patients. Significant association was found between lower socioeconomic status and vitamin B12 deficiency (p=0.002). Conclusion: Vitamin B12 deficiency was present in 58 (31.4%) of patients with H pylori infection in this study. Lower socioeconomic status was significantly associated with vitamin B12 deficiency.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

2

References

1. Mladenova I. Clinical relevance of Helicobacter pylori infection. J Clin Med. 2021;10(16):3473. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10163473

2. Mwafy SN, Afana WM. Hematological parameters, serum iron, and vitamin B12 levels in hospitalized Palestinian adult patients infected with Helicobacter pylori: a case-control study. Hematol Transfus Cell Ther. 2018;40(2):160-165. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.htct.2017.11.010

3. Fischbach W, Malfertheiner P. Helicobacter pylori infection. Dtsch Ärztebl Int. 2018;115(25):429-436. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3238/arztebl.2018.0429

4. Vazirzadeh J, Moghim S, Falahi J, Narimani T, Rafiei R, Karbasizadeh V. Comparison of four invasive methods for diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection: fluorescence in situ hybridization, histology, culture, rapid urease test. Mol Genet Microbiol Virol. 2020;35(2):123-128. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3103/S0891416820020111

5. Koletzko S, Jones NL, Goodman KJ, Gold B, Rowland M, Cadranel S, et al. Evidence-based guidelines from ESPGHAN and NASPGHAN for Helicobacter pylori infection in children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2011;53(2):230-243. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/MPG.0b013e3182227e90

6. Costa LCMC, Carvalho MG, Pereira ACLG, Teixeira Neto RG, Andrade Figueiredo LC, Barros-Pinheiro M. Diagnostic methods for Helicobacter pylori. Med Princ Pract. 2024;33(3):173-184. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1159/000538349

7. Bordin DS, Voynovan IN, Andreev DN, Maev IV. Current Helicobacter pylori diagnostics. Diagnostics (Basel). 2021;11(8):1458. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics11081458

8. Rahman YA, Ahmed LA, Hafez RM, Ahmed RM. Helicobacter pylori and its hematological effect. Egypt J Intern Med. 2019;31(3):332-342. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/ejim.ejim_103_18

9. Ierardi E, Losurdo G, La Fortezza RF, Principi M, Barone M, Di Leo A. Optimizing proton pump inhibitors in Helicobacter pylori treatment: old and new tricks to improve effectiveness. World J Gastroenterol. 2019;25(34):5097-5112. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v25.i34.5097

10. Kadhim G, Shikh M, Omar H, Ismail A. Vitamin B12 deficiency in Helicobacter pylori-infected patients. Open Access Lib J. 2018;5:1-4. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1104172

11. Ali UA, Abbasi W, Huda NU. Vitamin B12 deficiency among cases of Helicobacter pylori gastritis: a cross-sectional study. J Health Rehabil Res. 2024;4(2):553-556. DOI: https://doi.org/10.61919/jhrr.v4i2.907

12. Nizami MA, Mirza SA, Khan FA. Frequency of vitamin B12 deficiency in patients with Helicobacter pylori gastritis. Pak Armed Forces Med J. 2012;62(2):203-205.

13. Rafique Z, Iftikhar F, Niazi AW, Mehboob M, Bhatti AR, Naz L. H pylori infection and associated vitamin B12 deficiency. Biol Clin Sci Res J. 2024;2024:1370. DOI: https://doi.org/10.54112/bcsrj.v2024i1.1370

14. Ali S, Hussain T, Abdullah. Frequency of vitamin B12 deficiency in H pylori-positive patients. Indus J Biosci Res. 2025;3(7):506-510. DOI: https://doi.org/10.70749/ijbr.v3i7.1963

15. Gowdappa HB, Mahesh M, Murthy KVKN, Narahari MG. Helicobacter pylori-associated vitamin B12 deficiency, pernicious anaemia, and subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord. BMJ Case Rep. 2013;2013:bcr2013200380. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2013-200380