Helicobacter pylori infection and chronological extension of atrophic gastritis.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and chronological extension of atrophic gastritis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We studied 137 non-ulcer patients. The extent of atrophic gastritis was assessed endoscopically and scored on a scale of 1-6 (endoscopic score) using the atrophic pattern system. H. pylori infection was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with serum anti-H. pylori immunoglobulin G. The correlation between patient age and endoscopic score was determined for H. pylori-positive and -negative patients.

RESULTS

A positive correlation between age and extent of atrophic gastritis was found in both H. pylori-positive and -negative patients. In groups of patients aged 20-29 and 30-39 years, those with H. pylori had more extensive atrophic gastritis than those without H. pylori.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronological extension of atrophic gastritis was found in patients with and without H. pylori infection.