HELICOBACTER-PYLORI INFECTION AND THE EXTENSION OF ATROPHIC GASTRITIS

Objective: To investigate the relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and the extension of atrophic gastritis. Design and methods: We studied 70 patients with histologically confirmed chronic gastritis but no ulcers. Two biopsies were taken from each of the antrum, middle body and upper body of the stomach. Detection of H. pylori was based on smear, culture and tissue section, and the severity of atrophic gastritis was assessed histologically and endoscopically. Results: Pyloric gland atrophy was more frequently seen in the H. pylori-infected than in uninfected patients. Fundic gland atrophy was more frequently observed in patients with either antral or body H. pylori than in those with both antral and body H. pylori or in the uninfected patients. No close relationship was found between H. pylori infection and the extent of atrophic gastritis. Conclusions: Although H. pylori infection was associated with antral atrophic gastritis, there was no close relationship with extension of atrophic gastritis into the body mucosa.