IMPACT OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTION ON VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY LEVELS: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin B12 deficiency, commonly attributed to malabsorption, presents significant clinical consequences including hematological and neurological manifestations. Helicobacter pylori infection, a prevalent global pathogen, has been implicated in gastric pathology that may compromise vitamin B12 absorption through various mechanisms including gastric atrophy and impaired intrinsic factor production. This study aimed to evaluate the association between H. pylori infection and vitamin B12 deficiency. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted at Thumbay Hospital, Ajman, UAE, involving 110 patients who underwent testing for both H. pylori (via urea breath test) and vitamin B12 levels using consecutive sampling of eligible patients tested during the study period. Patients with positive H. pylori results comprised the case group (n=60), while those with negative results served as controls (n=50). H. pylori positivity was defined by the assay's manufacturer cut-off (delta-over-baseline ≥2.4‰), and vitamin B12 deficiency was defined as a serum concentration below 200 pg/mL per the assay reference interval. Exclusion criteria included diseases other than H. pylori affecting vitamin B12 levels and ongoing vitamin B12 therapy. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24, employing Student's t-test and Pearson's correlation. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was observed in mean vitamin B12 levels between H. pylori-infected patients (115.25±26.48 pg/mL) and non-infected patients (253.05±78.31 pg/mL; p<0.001). No significant gender-based differences were found within the infected group (p=0.9). A significant negative correlation was identified between vitamin B12 levels and urea breath test results (r=-0.56, p=0.004). CONCLUSION: The findings support the hypothesis that H. pylori infection is associated with vitamin B12 deficiency, highlighting the importance of screening and monitoring vitamin B12 levels in infected individuals. Further large-scale prospective studies are warranted to establish causality and evaluate the impact of H. pylori eradication on vitamin B12 status.