Variations in Mean Platelet Volume in Patients with Helicobacter pylori Infection before and after Eradication, Way before Immune Thrombocytopenia?

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) association is well known and eradication treatment has its place in both treatment guidelines. Since H. pylori eradication is followed by an increase in platelet counts in patients with immune thrombocytopenia, it is suggested that H. pylori be examined and treated if infection is present. There is only one study that demonstrated a relation between H. pylori and platelet indices in individuals with normal platelet counts. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of H. pylori infection on platelet count and mean platelet volume, which is a sign of increased platelet destruction in patients with normal platelet counts. We evaluated the data of 106 patients with urease test positivity before the eradication of bacteria and urea breath test negative after the eradication, in a retrospective manner. Mean platelet count in patients before the eradication treatment was 256.730 ± 66.380/mm3. After H. pylori was eradicated, it has been observed that the mean platelet count increased to 287.080 ± 59.240/mm3. Mean MPV of patients before and after eradication treatment were 9.35 ± 1.63 fL and 8.61 ± 1.48 fL. Mean MPV was higher when patients were infected with H. pylori. This study showed that there is an increase in platelet counts and a decrease in MPV levels with the eradication of the H. pylori. Our study is the first to investigate changes of mean platelet volume and platelet count before and after eradication of H. pylori infection in individuals with normal platelet counts.

Keywords

• Helicobacter pylori
• immune thrombocytopenia
• mean platelet volume