Abstract
Helicobacter pylori is one of the most prevalent chronic infections globally. It is hypothesised that diabetes mellitus increases the incidence of Helicobacter pylori infection; however, the available data on the relationship between Helicobacter pylori and the level of blood sugar control (HbA1C) in diabetics are limited and contradictory. The present study therefore aims to investigate the impact of Helicobacter pylori infection on the blood sugar control of diabetic patients. In this experimental study, 61 type II diabetic patients with or without dyspepsia symptoms, in whom Helicobacter pylori infection was proven by anti-Helicobacter pylori IgG serological method, were treated with four anti-Helicobacter pylori drug regimens (bismuth+ metronidazole) +tetracycline + omeprazole. The HbAlC level was quantified prior to the commencement of Helicobacter pylori infection treatment and two months following the conclusion of the infection treatment, following the confirmation of Helicobacter pylori infection eradication through urea breath test and the calculation of the mean HbAlC levels before and after the infection treatment. The data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software and a paired Student's t-test. The results indicated that the average age of the subjects was 52.4±10.4 years, with 39 males (63.9%) and 22 females (36.1%) comprising the sample. The mean duration of diabetes at the time of diagnosis for the subjects in the study was 8.7±5.5 years. The results of this study demonstrate that Helicobacter pylori infection was successfully eradicated in all patients, as evidenced by the urea breath test (UBT). The mean HbAlC level prior to treatment was 8.6±1.2, while the mean HbAlC level following treatment was 7.9±1.2. This represents a statistically significant change (P<0.05). It was concluded that a positive relationship exists between the eradication effect of Helicobacter pylori and blood sugar control (reduction of HbAlC). However, further studies in diabetic patients are recommended to obtain more accurate results.