[Helicobacter pylori and the development of atrophic gastritis].

A close relationship between H. pylori infection and atrophic gastritis has been reported, and atrophic gastritis has been thought of as one of the precursors of gastric carcinoma. It was reported that there was a significant positive correlation between the reduction of serum pepsinogen (PG) I/II ratio and the progression of atrophic gastritis. The ratio of PG I/II was significantly decreased in H. pylori positive patients when compared to H. pylori negative patients with chronic gastritis. The PG I/II ratio in gastric cancer was significantly lower than that of chronic gastritis, while the prevalence of H. pylori was not significant difference between gastric carcinoma and chronic gastritis. It is suggested that there is strong correlation between H. pylori infection and the development of atrophic gastritis, and that eradication of H. pylori from gastric mucosa might reduce the risk of developing gastric carcinoma.