Evaluation the prevalence of gastrointestinal lesions and Helicobacter pylori infection in upper endoscopic study of asymptomatic renal transplantation candidates

Abstract

Introduction: Renal transplantation is the most effective therapeutic strategy in ESRD patients. One of the post renal transplantation complications is gastrointestinal bleeding due to peptic ulcers as well as other upper gastrointestinal diseases which have a great impact on patients’ morbidity and mortality. The present research aims to shed light on prevalence of gastrointestinal lesions and Helicobacter pylori infection in asymptomatic  candidate for renal transplantation using upper endoscopy.

Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional research was performed on 85 renal transplant candidates referred to organ transplantation center within 2016 to 2018. Patients who met inclusion criteria and didn’t have exclusion criteria underwent upper endoscopy and were classified according to endoscopic findings, Helicobacter pylori infection and pathologic findings.

Results: 53 patients (62%) had significant endoscopic findings.  Erosive gastroduodenitis (32.5%) was the most common finding . 73% of patients had abnormal pathologic findings and Helicobacter pylori infection was seen in 48.2%. Significant correlation was found between H. Pylori infection and abnormal pathology (p=0.04) .

Conclusion: Our findings showed that asymptomatic gastrointestinal lesions and Helicobacter pylori infection were significant in renal transplantation candidates thus routine upper endoscopy is recommended in pre-transplant patients in order to detect and treat gastric lesions before kidney transplantation to prevent serious complication after transplantation