Abstract

Globally, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) impacts approximately fifty percent of the global populace. It has emerged as a significant public health concern. Although H. pylori infections are typically associated with gastritis and peptic ulcers, there is an increasing body of evidence suggesting that these infections may also affect iron metabolism. This study endeavors to evaluate the correlation between H. pylori infection and blood ferritin levels in Iraqi patients, thereby examining the potential implications for the diagnosis and management of iron deficiency anemia. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted involving one hundred participants recruited from gastrointestinal clinics in Mosul, Iraq. The stool antigen test was employed to diagnose H. pylori infection, while serum ferritin concentrations were assessed. A systematic approach was adopted to gather preventive knowledge and demographic information. To ascertain the associations between serum ferritin concentrations and H. pylori status while controlling for potential confounding variables, the statistical analysis incorporated descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, chi-square tests, and multivariate analysis. A total of sixty-four percent of participants presented with an H. pylori infection. The average serum ferritin levels of individuals with infection were significantly lower (37.8 ± 18.4 ng/mL) in comparison to those without infection (67.5 ± 24.2 ng/mL, p<0.001). Even after controlling for demographic variables including age, gender, and place of residence, this connection remained significant. Female participants had a more noticeable effect, with 58% of H. pylori-positive females showing ferritin levels below reference ranges, compared to 22% of uninfected females, according to subgroup analysis. Patients who have lower serum ferritin levels or unexplained iron shortage require routine screening of H. pylori infection, particularly in areas where H. pylori prevalence is high. Deficient in iron anemia afflicted persons may benefit from adjuvant treatment of the H. pylori infection. In order to identify causal relationships and evaluate the impact of H. pylori elimination on ferritin levels, additional long term studies are needed.