Link between Helicobacter pylori infection and iron-deficiency anaemia in patients with coeliac disease.

Background: Iron-deficiency anaemia is a frequent finding in coeliac disease. Recent investigations have identified Helicobacter pylori infection as a factor responsible for iron deficiency. We investigated the potential relationship between H. pylori and iron-deficiency anaemia in patients with coeliac disease. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational cohort study on coeliac patients evaluated for irondeficiency anaemia. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed and biopsy specimens of duodenal and gastric mucosa were taken for histological examination and assessment of Helicobacter pylori status. Results: The initial database was 386 subjects. Of these, 24 were excluded because of concomitant potential causes of iron deficiency. Of the 362 enrolled patients, H. pylori was detected in 77 (21%) subjects; of these 55 (71%) had iron-deficiency anaemia. Among the 285 H. pylori -negative subjects, 81 (28%) showed anaemia ( P < 0.001). We did not find significant differences in gastric histolo...