Comparison of Helicobacter pylori in hospitalized COVID-19 patients with and without gastrointestinal symptoms

Background and Aim

Helicobacter pylori plays an important role in causing digestive diseases. The purpose of this study is to investigate Helicobacter pylori in COVID-19 patients with and without gastrointestinal symptoms.

Methods

In this case–control study, all patients with COVID-19 admitted to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Jiroft city in 2021 were convenience sampled and divided into two homogeneous groups. Ninety-five patients with COVID-19, who presented with gastrointestinal symptoms, were included in the case group, while 95 patients with COVID-19 without gastrointestinal symptoms were included in the control group. Noninvasive diagnostic methods, including serology and stool antigen tests, were used to identify Helicobacter pylori in the studied patients.

Results

Fifty-three people (55.8%) from the case group had Helicobacter pylori, and 48 (50.5%) from the control group had Helicobacter pylori. Among the 53 people from the case group, 27 (50.9%) were men and 26 (49.1%) were women. Nineteen people (35.8%) were taking pantoprazole, 10 people (18.8%) were taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, 20 people (37.7%) were taking narcotics, and 7 people (13.2%) had peptic ulcer. Seven people (13.2%) had an H2 blocker, and 21 people had an underlying disease. A significant relationship between infection with Helicobacter pylori and the use of pantoprazole, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, narcotics, peptic ulcer, underlying disease, and H2 blocker in COVID-19 patients with gastrointestinal symptoms and without gastrointestinal symptoms was present (P-value < 0.05).

Conclusion

The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with COVID-19, who have gastrointestinal symptoms, is high and should be considered as a treatment criterion for people infected with COVID-19.