Helicobacter pylori infection in sickle cell disease

Abdominal pain is a common presenting symptom in adults with sickle cell disease (SCD). One case of Helicobacter pylori gastritis has been reported in a child with sickle cell anemia. H. pylori-induced peptic ulcer disease (PUD) has not previously been reported in adults with SCD. We report eight ca...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the National Medical Association 2000-07, Vol.92 (7), p.361-365
Main Authors: WOODS, K. F, ONUOHA, A, SCHADE, R. R, KUTLAR, A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Anemias. Hemoglobinopathies
Antibodies, Bacterial - analysis
Bacterial diseases
Bacterial diseases of the digestive system and abdomen
Biological and medical sciences
Biopsy
Diagnosis, Differential
Diseases of red blood cells
Endoscopy, Digestive System
Female
Helicobacter Infections - complications
Helicobacter Infections - pathology
Helicobacter pylori - immunology
Hematologic and hematopoietic diseases
Hemoglobin SC Disease - complications
Hemoglobin SC Disease - pathology
Human bacterial diseases
Humans
Infectious diseases
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Peptic Ulcer Hemorrhage - etiology
Peptic Ulcer Hemorrhage - pathology
Recurrence
Stomach Ulcer - complications
Stomach Ulcer - pathology
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Summary:Abdominal pain is a common presenting symptom in adults with sickle cell disease (SCD). One case of Helicobacter pylori gastritis has been reported in a child with sickle cell anemia. H. pylori-induced peptic ulcer disease (PUD) has not previously been reported in adults with SCD. We report eight cases of H. pylori infection in adult sickle cell patients presenting with acute or recurrent abdominal pain and/or gastrointestinal bleeding. In all cases, H. pylori serology (IgG) was positive, and three patients had gastric or duodenal ulcer by endoscopic examination. All patients responded to H. pylori treatment with complete resolution of symptoms by 4 weeks. The prevalence of H. pylori infection in SCD is unknown, but patients may be at increased risk for H. pylori-induced PUD and complications due to pre-existing anemia, increased nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use, and alloimmunization which may delay necessary transfusion. It is important that the differential diagnosis of abdominal pain in adults with SCD include nonsickle cell-related disorders such as PUD. When confirmed, a definitive etiology of PUD must be determined so that appropriate treatment strategies can be initiated promptly and excess morbidity avoided.
ISSN:0027-9684
1943-4693