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.