Recent research suggests a possible link between long-term H. pylori infection and vitamin B12 malabsorption. This link may be stronger in groups with high infection rates.
As we have learned, Vitamin B12 and other B vitamins play a role in producing brain chemicals that affect mood and other brain functions. Many of those who suffer from H pylori need to increase their Vitamin B12 intake to avoid mood disorders and falling into depression. The gut is linked to the brain, as we know, and we must approach the management of H pylori with this in mind.
The National Library of Medicine posted a prospective cohort study that was conducted involving 138 patients who had anemia and vitamin B12 deficiency. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed to assess the severity of atrophic gastritis and biopsy specimens for Campylobacter-like organisms tests and histological examination for H pylori were obtained at the time of diagnosis.
Helicobacter pylori was detected in 77 (56%) of 138 patients with vitamin B12 deficiency and reduction of H. pylori infection successfully improved anemia and serum vitamin B12 levels in 31 (40 %) of 77 infected patients. H. pylori seems to be a causative agent in the development of adult vitamin B12 deficiency. Reduction of H. pylori infection alone may correct vitamin B12 levels and improve anemia.
Another study in the Journal of Health and Rehabilitation Research posted about a cross-sectional study which was conducted from September 2023 to March 2024 at the Department of Medicine, Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad.
A total of 120 patients presenting with symptoms of gastritis were enrolled after obtaining ethical approval from the hospital’s review board. Exclusion criteria included patients already on vitamin B12 supplementation. Diagnostic testing for H. pylori was performed using stool antigen tests, and vitamin B12 levels were assessed through serum measurements. Data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics version 23, with the Chi-Square test applied to examine the association between H. pylori infection and vitamin B12 deficiency, setting the level of significance at p ≤ 0.05.
Out of the 120 patients studied, 40.8% tested positive for H. pylori. Vitamin B12 deficiency was observed in 29.2% patients. Among those infected with H. pylori, 51.0% also had vitamin B12 deficiency, compared to 14.1% among those not infected (p = 0.0001).
The findings indicate a significant association between H. pylori infection and vitamin B12 deficiency. This study suggests that H. pylori is a potential risk factor for vitamin B12 deficiency, underscoring the need for screening and appropriate management of H. pylori in patients presenting with vitamin B12 deficiency.
Very interesting research about the importance of Vitamin B12, “Mood disorder with mixed, psychotic features due to vitamin b12 deficiency in an adolescent:” case report: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3404901/
Thank you for reading with us and next month we will discuss “Causes of stomach ulcers and NSAIDS.
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