The Relationship Between Ghrelin Levels and the Presence of Helicobacter Pylori in the Gastric Mucosa in Uremic Patients

OBJECTIVE: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is an important risk factor for chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer. Ghrelin is mostly secreted by gastric mucosa. The aim of the study is to examine the relationship between H. Pylori and ghrelin levels in uremic patients. MATERIAL and METHODS: A total of 91 patients [control group (CG, n=29), hemodialysis group (HD, no=21), peritoneal dialysis group(PD, no=12), predialysis group(PreG, n=29)] were involved. Patients using drugs active on H. pylori and/or gastric acidity were excluded. Besides demographic and biochemical parameters, patients were examined endoscopically; and H. Pylori was searched histopathologically. RESULTS: H. pylori was found to be positive in 62 patients (68.1%). Those patients were not different from H. pylori negative group regarding demographic and biochemical parameters. H. pylori positivity was statistically similar in patient groups. Ghrelin levels of uremic groups (HD, PD and PreG) were signifi cantly higher than that of CG (4.22±1.00ng/ml vs. 2.81±0.37ng/ml, p<0.001). Ghrelin level was higher in the predialysis group compared with the HD group (4.49±1.18ng/ml vs. 3.81±0.98ng/ml, p=0.040). Ghrelin levels of H. pylori positive and negative patients were not different (3.83±1.2ng/ml vs. 3.65±1.0ng/ml, p=0.50). CONCLUSION: Ghrelin levels are elevated in uremia, but there is no relationship between ghrelin level and H. pylori positivity in uremic patients.