Eradication of Helicobacter pylori, previously suspected to be associated with the incidence of idiopathic immune thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP), significantly increased platelet counts in adult patients with the condition, according to the results of a small study.1
Among a small group of patients with ITP diagnosed with H. pylori, treatment for the infection yielded a complete or partial response in more than 75% of patients.
“H. pylori eradication in ITP patients leads to significant improvement of peripheral blood platelet count in most patients,” the researchers wrote.
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The study included 50 patients with chronic ITP who were tested for H. pylori. The infection was diagnosed in 72% of patients, all of whom were treated with triple therapy (omeprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin).
After 6 months, 27.77% (36 of 50) of infected patients showed a complete response and 50% showed a partial response. Among patients who were treated for H. pylori, platelet count increased in 34 patients (94.44%) and decreased in 2 patients.
Looking at those patients who responded to triple therapy, no association between response and patient age or sex was found. However, baseline platelet count and H. pylori infection were associated with achieving a response.
The researchers acknowledged that the role of H. pylori infection in ITP is still unclear.
Reference
- Aljarad S, Alhamid A, Tarabishi AS, et al. The impact of helicobacter pylori eradication on platelet counts of adult patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. BMC Hematology. 2018;doi:10.1186/s12878-018-0119-y. Publishing online September 20, 2018.
