HELICOBACTER-PYLORI INFECTION IN PATIENTS AFFECTED BY INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES-MELLITUS

Background/aim insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is the resul t of an autoimmune destruction of pancreatic Langerhans beta cells. He licobacter pylori infection, the most common cause of gastritis and pe ptic ulcer, has been associated with some autoimmune diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of H. pylori infection a nd gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in patients with IDDM. Methods 116 p atients (50 males and 66 females, mean age: 35 +/- 11 years) affected by IDDM were evaluated; 50 healthy subjects matched for age and sex we re utilized as a control group. H. pylori infection was determined by a [C-13]urea breath test. IDDM duration, daily dosage of insulin and p revalence of GI symptoms (bloating, pyrosis, epigastric pain, belching , halitosis, nausea) were assessed. Results The prevalence of H. pylor i infection was similar in IDDM patients and in controls (37 vs 34%, r espectively). In both groups, the mean age was higher in infected subj ects. The mean IDDM duration was significantly greater in infected pat ients (19 +/- 12 vs 13 +/- 10 years, P < 0.006). Prevalence of infecti on was directly related to the duration of IDDM (<1 year, 23%; 1-3 yea rs, 32%; >3 years, 40%). The daily dosage of insulin did not differ be tween infected and non-infected subjects. H. pylori contaminated patie nts showed a significantly higher prevalence of bloating, pyrosis and epigastric pain when compared with non-infected subjects; conversely, prevalence of belching, halitosis and nausea did not differ between gr oups. Conclusion The prevalence of H. pylori infection is high in pati ents affected by IDDM; however, it does not differ from the infection rate observed in a control group, The rate of infection increases with IDDM duration. Bloating, pyrosis and epigastric pain appear to define infection status better. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 10:000-000 (C) 1 998 Lippincott-Raven Publishers.