Association between Helicobacter- pylori infection and fecal calprotectin

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori is one of the most common bacterial infections in humans and is one of the most important causes of chronic gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, lymphoma and gastric cancer. Recently, studies have shown the diagnostic value of examining the amount of fecal calprotectin in various gastrointestinal diseases. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of fecal calprotectin in patients with Helicobacter pylori infection, in which the incidence of Helicobacter pylori and the degree of gastritis and duodenitis have been proven by pathological methods. Methods: In this study, 120 patients were examined. All patients referred to the endoscopic ward of the Children's Hospital who had admission criteria (age groups 3 to 16 years who had pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, or developmental disorder) and needed endoscopy were included in the study. Simultaneously, a stool sample was sent to the laboratory for colprotectin fecal measurement. Patients were divided into two groups: Helicobacter pylori and non-Helicobacter pylori. At the end of the study, the two groups were compared in terms of fecal calprotectin levels. The data obtained from the study were analyzed using statistical software SPSS version 18 and statistical analysis. Results: The Helicobacter pylori was positive in 60 patients (50%). Patients were screened for fecal calprotectin, which was positive in 58 cases (48.3%). Of the patients who tested positive for Helicobacter pylori, 44 patients (73.3%) had a calprotectin level above 50 ug / g, while only 18 patients (30%) had a calprotectin level above 50 ug / g. (P value <0.001). ROC curve analysis showed that fecal calprotectin had poor ability to detect the presence of pyloric Helicobacter pylori (AUC = 0.398 95% CI = 0.297 - 0.499, P = 0.054). However, in terms of deodorant, fecal calprotectin had good diagnostic power (AUC = 0. 718 95% CI = 0.624 - 0.812, P = 0.001). Also, in terms of gastritis (chronic or acute), fecal calprotectin had moderate diagnostic power (AUC = 0. 621 95% CI = 0.515 - 0.728, P = 0.032).