Pilot Study Indicates Helicobacter pylori Infection May Induce Small Intestinal Mucosal Injury

Abstract

Background and Aim: Helicobacter pylori infection is a primary cause of gastroduodenal ulcers. To investigate whether there is an association between H. pylori infection and small intestinal mucosal injury. Methods: Patients were selected from a general pool of subjects who underwent capsule endoscopy for current or past obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. Characteristics including age, gender, history, treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and/or acid suppressant, diagnosis, and H. pylori infection were investigated. Patients infected with H. pylori had positive test result, ranging 30 days before to 30 days after capsule endoscopy. Patients diagnosed with inflammatory diseases, malignant tumors, etc. were excluded. All video images were re-evaluated to count small intestinal mucosal breaks. Eligible patient variables were compared. Results: A total of 92 patients (30 infected with H. pylori/62 uninfected) were eligible. By univariate analysis of the number of mucosal breaks, patients treated with NSAIDs were found to have more mucosal breaks than patients untreated (38%: 8/21 vs. 18%: 13/71; p = 0.004), and the possible association was detected between patients infected with H. pylori and those who were not (67%: 14/21 vs. 37%: 26/71; p = 0.081). When comparing the H. pylori infected and uninfected patients, the rate of patients with mucosal breaks was greater in infected patients (47%: 14/30 vs. 11%: 7/62; p = 0.001). After excluding patients treated with NSAIDs, the number of mucosal breaks was also greater in patients infected with H. pylori (1.2 ± 1.5 vs. 0.38 ± 0.62; p = 0.001). Conclusion: There is a possibility that H. pylori infection induces small intestinal mucosal injury.

<p>Risk Factors of Prolonged Nausea and Vomiting During Pregnancy</p>

“…31,32 During the last decade, it has been well established that H. pylori infection is related to worsening GI health. [33][34][35][36] According to the above research, GI health before pregnancy is likely closely associated with NVP, which is consistent with the conclusion in the present study. Although NVP is generally considered as a common condition primarily caused by hormonal change, the women with a history of GI diseases were assumed to have worse GI health, which could have stimulated the NVP.…”

Progress in elucidating the relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and intestinal diseases

“…Additionally, intestinal mucosal permeability has been reported to be enhanced in H. pylori -infected individuals[ 27 ]. We hypothesize that this hyperpermeability of the intestinal mucosa is combined with abnormalities in the intestinal flora, resulting in an increase in small intestinal ulcerative lesions[ 6 ]. However, there are very few reports examining the relationship between H. pylori infection and the intestinal flora, so future studies are required.…”

“…In addition, studies have reported that the symptoms of Fabry’s disease are exacerbated[ 4 ] and that attacks of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) are increased[ 5 ] in H. pylori -infected individuals. Moreover, studies have reported that small intestinal ulcerative lesions in patients are significantly more common in H. pylori -infected individuals[ 6 ]. Furthermore, it has been suggested that H. pylori infection may cause irritable bowel syndrome[ 7 ].…”