Helicobacter Pylori Infection in Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the most common chronic bacterial infections. There is challenge on the real rate of prevalence of H. pylori in diabetic patients. This study was done to assess the prevalence of H. pylori infection in children suffering from type 1 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

METHODS: In this case-control study, 80 diabetic patients (as the target group) refer to the Endocrinology Clinic of Tabriz Educational and Treatment Center, Tabriz northwestern Iran and 80 non-diabetic patients (as the control group) from the group of children referring to the GI Clinic of the same center  were enrolled in 2012 and 2013. Then H. pylori infection was assessed in two groups using measuring antibody (IgG) and stool antigen (HpSA).

RESULTS: H. pylori infection tests were positive in 48 (60%) diabetic patients and in 32 (40%) in non-diabetic patients (P=0.030). There was a meaningful correlation between the frequency of H. pylori and the longer the duration of diabetes (P<0.001). No correlation was seen between H. pylori infection and other factors such as age of the patients (P=0.840), HbA1C level (P=0.312), age at which diabetes was diagnosed (P=0.800), average daily dosage of insulin (P=0.232), and presence of GI symptoms (P=0.430).

CONCLUSIONS: Type 1 diabetic children especially cases with the longer duration of diabetes, are at risk acquiring H. pylori infection. Therefore, screening of H. pylori infection is helpful on the follow up of these patients.