Is eradication therapy useful as the first line of treatment in Helicobacter pylori-positive idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura? Analysis of 207 eradicated chronic ITP cases in Japan

Int J Hematol. 2005 Feb;81(2):162-8. doi: 10.1532/ijh97.04146.

Abstract

A retrospective study was performed to determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection, the effect of H pylori eradication on platelet counts, and the characteristic clinical features of chronic immune or idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) with H pylori infection. H pylori infection was found in 300 patients, a group that was significantly older (P < .005) and had more cases of hyperplastic megakaryocytes in the bone marrow (P = .01) than patients without H pylori infection. H pylori eradication therapy was performed in 207 H pylori-positive ITP cases, and the platelet count response was observed in 63% of the successful eradication group and in 33% of the unsuccessful eradication group (P < .005). In the successful group, the complete remission and partial remission rates were 23% and 42%, respectively, 12 months after eradication. In the majority of responders, the platelet count response occurred 1 month after eradication therapy, and the increased platelet count continued without ITP treatment for more than 12 months. H pylori eradication therapy was effective even in refractory cases, which were unresponsive to splenectomy. In conclusion, H pylori infection was involved in most ITP patients older than 40 years in Japan, and eradication therapy should be the first line of treatment in H pylori-positive ITP patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Helicobacter Infections / complications
  • Helicobacter Infections / drug therapy*
  • Helicobacter Infections / epidemiology
  • Helicobacter pylori*
  • Humans
  • Japan / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Platelet Count
  • Prevalence
  • Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / etiology
  • Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / microbiology*
  • Remission Induction
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents