Helicobacter pylori and Iron Deficiency

Abstract

Gastric infection with<i>Helicobacter pylori</i>is common throughout the world. Usually acquired in childhood, this infection causes a chronic active gastritis. Chronic infection is usually asymptomatic, but its presence predisposes infected individuals to peptic ulcer disease.¹Unlike gastropathies associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or alcohol, which are erosive and hemorrhagic,<i>H pylori</i>gastritis is nonerosive and nonhemorrhagic,²the pathology of which is not visible through an endoscope. Thus,<i>H pylori</i>gastritis would not be considered a satisfactory explanation for chronic gastrointestinal blood loss or iron deficiency. However, in this issue, Yip et al³report in a cross-sectional study of Alaskan Yupik Eskimos (Yupiks) a high prevalence of See also p 1135. erosive-hemorrhagic gastritis, gastrointestinal bleeding, iron deficiency, and gastric<i>H pylori</i>infection. Is erosive-hemorrhagic gastritis with chronic gastric bleeding leading to iron deficiency another consequence of chronic<i>H pylori</i>infection? If so, is this manifestation unique