Talking about the “other side” of Helicobacter pylori (Part 2)

The previous article mentioned the relationship between Helicobacter pylori (Hp) and neurological diseases and skin diseases. It really makes people sigh that such a small bacterium can stir up so many storms! Today we continue to talk about other non-gastrointestinal diseases caused by Hp infection.

Hp infection and blood diseases

Hp infection is related to some blood diseases, such as iron deficiency anemia (IDA), multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease, etc.

Hp infection is closely related to iron deficiency anemia, so the Hp infection treatment guidelines suggest that Hp infection in IDA cases should be eradicated. However, IDA is not always related to Hp infection, and the reason remains to be explained.

Image source: Wikipedia

The reason why Hp infection affects the occurrence of IDA may be that Hp "plunders" iron from the host's lactoferrin and transferrin, or that Hp infection reduces the bioavailability of dietary iron, and so on.

Hp infection and eye diseases

Hp infection is also associated with some eye diseases.

Eye diseases associated with H. pylori infection include open-angle glaucoma (OAG), central serous chorioretinitis (CSC), and blepharitis (B).

Taking OAG as an example, a study has pointed out that the risk of Hp infection in OAG patients is twice that of non-OAG patients. It is also reported that compared with OAG patients who have not eradicated Hp infection, OAG patients who have successfully eradicated Hp infection can lead to improved intraocular pressure parameters in the treated eye. Eradication of Hp infection has many benefits for OAG patients, such as shortening the course of the disease, reducing the recurrence rate, and even improving long-term prognosis.

Hp infection and metabolic diseases

Hp infection is also believed to be associated with changes in glucose and lipid metabolism. Metabolic diseases associated with Hp infection include diabetes mellitus (DM), insulin resistance syndrome (IR), and metabolic syndrome (SMet). The impact of Hp infection on DM is mainly reflected in the fact that, on the one hand, high blood sugar levels are related to Hp infection, and on the other hand, eradication of Hp infection can better control blood sugar.

In fact, Hp infection is not only related to neurological diseases, skin diseases, blood diseases, eye diseases and metabolic diseases, but also to cardiovascular diseases, allergic diseases and hepatobiliary diseases. The next article will continue to talk to you about the hazards of Hp infection, welcome to pay attention!