Abstract

Introduction Infection to Helicobacter pylori has been associated to many gastrointestinal diseases including gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, atrophic gastritis and gastric cancer. Chronic infections are frequent and severe in patients with diabetes mellitus (DMT2), probably due to the impairment of their immune status. The link between H. pylori infection and diabetes mellitus (DM) remains controversial. This study aimed at detection and comparison of anti H. pylori antibodies (IgG) in serum of diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2) and non-diabetic dyspepsia subjects and also to find if there exists any significant correlation between H. pylori infection and DMT2. Materials and methods This case control study of 82 patients (51 diabetics and 31 non-diabetic subjects) was carried out in Yaounde Cameroon during the period January-April 2017. Clinical and sociodemographic information of both groups were recorded 5 ml of blood was aseptically collected for H. pylori IgG antibodies. Assay parameters were analysed using a software application GastroSoft (www.GastroPanel.com). Data was analysed using Epi info 7.0. All statistics were realized at 95% CI. Authorizations were obtained at the Yaounde Central Hospital, the Cite Verte District Hospital. Ethical clearance was also obtained from the National Ethics Committee. Results Significantly raised Anti H. pylori antibodies (IgG) were found in diabetics (88.2%) than in the non-diabetic control group (67.7%), (P = 0.015) showing strong correlation between the association of H. pylori and DMT2. Dyspepsia was very common in anti H. pylori positive cases (83.6%). The most common diabetic complications observed in H. pylori positive diabetic subjects were retinopathy (81.0%), neuropathy (33.3%), diabetic foot (19.0%) and nephropathy (9.5%). The major diabetic risk factors in H. pylori positive subjects were obesity (39.5%), overweight (31.6%) and hypertension (31.7%). Significantly raised anti H. pylori antibodies were observed in almost all age groups in the diabetic groups. Conclusion The result showed that diabetics are more prone to H. pylori infection and need continuous monitoring.

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