[Helicobacter pylori and diabetes mellitus]

Abstract

Background: Helicobacter (H.) pylori participates significantly on the pathogeny of chronic gastritis, duodenal a gastric ulcer, carcinoma and lymphoma of the stomach. Attention was attracted also by some extragastric diseases, including diabetes mellitus, where the elevated antibodies levels against H. pylori was found. The aim of the work was to determine the seroprevalence in relation to the sex and type of disease in a cohort of diabetics and in a control group of blood donors.

Methods and results: In 195 diabetic patients (type I and II) and 216 blood donors levels of IgG antibodies were determined by ELISA method. Seroprevalence in the group of diabetic patients was 27%, in males 26% and in women 28% (n.s.). No differences related to sex or diabetes type were found. Significant differences in seroprevalence were found among the group of diabetic patients and blood donors (27% vs. 51%, p < 0.001), male diabetics of both types and blood donors (26% vs. 62%, p < 0.001). No differences were found between female diabetic patients and controls (28%, 27% vs. 40%, n.s.).

Conclusions: Our study has shown a lower seroprevalence of H. pylori in diabetic patients of type I and II in comparison with the healthy population. Such finding differs from the generally accepted experience of the higher sensitivity of these patients to infection. The practical significance of the observation remains unsolved.