High serum antithyroid antibody concentrations
are not associated with Helicobacter pylori infection
(July 2005)
The background of the study. High rates of infection
with Helicobacter pylori bacteria have been found in some
studies of patients with autoimmune thyroiditis, raising the possibility
that the response to infection with this organism may be important
in the causation of the thyroid disorder. In this study serum antithyroid
antibodies were measured in patients with dyspepsia with and without
infection with H. pylori.
How the study was done. The study subjects were
302 patients with symptoms of dyspepsia (abdominal pain, heartburn,
regurgitation, and nausea and vomiting) for at least three months
who were to undergo upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The patients
were studied for H. pylori infection with the C-13 urea
breath test, and for thyroid disorders by measurements of serum
thyrotropin (TSH), antithyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibodies,
and antithyroglobulin (anti-Tg) antibodies.
The results of the study. Among the 302 patients
(60 percent women, 40 percent men; average age, 51 years), 37 percent
had H. pylori infection, and 63 percent did not. The frequency
of hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and high serum concentrations
of anti-TPO or anti-Tg antibodies was similar in the patients with
and without H. pylori infection (Table). There were no
differences in hormonal values in the patients with and without
H. pylori infection.
Table. Thyroid Function and
Serum Antithyroid Antibody Concentrations in Patients with
Dyspepsia with and without H. pylori Infection. |
| |
H. pylori Infection |
No H. pylori Infection |
| Hypothyroidism |
5 (5%) |
10 (6%) |
| Hyperthyroidism |
6 (6%) |
10 (6%) |
| High serum anti-TPO antibodies |
24 (22%) |
36 (19%) |
| High serum anti-Tg antibodies |
6 (5%) |
7 (4%) |
| Both serum antibodies high |
8 (7%) |
14 (7%) |
The conclusions of the study. High serum antithyroid
antibody concentrations and thyroid dysfunction are not associated
with H. pylori infection.
The original article. Tomasi PA, Dore MP, Fanciulli
G, Sanciu F, Realdi G, Delitala G. Is there anything to the reported
association between Helicobacter pylori infection and autoimmune
thyroiditis? Dig Dis Sci 2005;50:385-8.
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