Table 3 Papers excluded from the review

Suzuki et al, 2006 [54]

Did not report ghrelin levels in H pylori positive &H pylori negative patients

Nunes et al, 2006 [27]

Not sufficient information in abstract and authors could not be contacted for further clarifications

Campana et al, 2007 [56]

All subjects were H pylori negative

Isomoto et al, 2005 [52]

Compared only H pylori strains

Checchi et al, 2007 [10]

Did not compare serum ghrelin levels in H pylori positive &H pylori negative subjects

Wu et al, 2005[57]

Did not assess ghrelin

Shinomiya et al, 2005[58]

Did not compare the difference in ghrelin between H pylori positive &H pylori negative subjects

Suzuki et al, 2005[59]

Did not assess ghrelin

Sundbom et al, 2007[60]

Did not assess H pylori

Huang et al, 2007[61]

Did not assess H pylori

Nishizawa et al, 2006[62]

Did not assess H pylori

Ando et al, 2006[63]

Did not assess ghrelin

Kempa et al, 2007[64]

All subjects were H pylori negative

Ates et al, 2008[65]

Did not assess H pylori

Wang et al, 2006[66]

Did not assess ghrelin

Doki et al, 2006[67]

Did not assess H pylori

Gao et al, 2008[68]

Excluded people with H pylori

Cherian et al, 2009[69]

Did not assess ghrelin

Kebapcilar et al, 2009[70]

Did not assess ghrelin

Dutta et al, 2009[71]

Did not assess ghrelin

Gen et al, 2010[72]

Did not assess ghrelin

Taniaka-Shintani et al, 2005[1]

Examined only ghrelin immunoreactive cells