Pernicious anemia and Helicobacter pylori infection in Japan: evaluation in a country with a high prevalence of infection.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the degree of gastritis and the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in Japanese patients with pernicious anemia (PA).

METHODS

Histological assessment for mucosal atrophy and inflammation was performed in gastric biopsy specimens taken from 24 Japanese patients with PA and from 24 age- and sex-matched controls. The prevalence of H. pylori was evaluated by Giemsa staining and serum IgG antibodies. Serum gastrin and pepsinogens were determined by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTS

All patients with PA had severe fundic atrophic gastritis, and 17 (71%) also had antral atrophic gastritis. Thirteen (54%) of 24 age- and sex-matched controls had fundic atrophic gastritis, and 15 (62%) also had antral atrophic gastritis. Mucosal inflammation was identified in the fundus of all 24 patients and in 15 (62%) controls and in the antrum of 22 (92%) patients and 16 (67%) controls. H. pylori was not detected by Giemsa staining or serum IgG antibodies to H. pylori in any patient with PA but was present in 16 (67%) controls. Serum gastrin levels were significantly higher, and serum pepsinogen I, II, and the I/II ratio were significantly lower in patients than in controls (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results confirm that H. pylori infection is infrequent in PA and is unlikely to be a factor in producing type A gastritis in PA.