title: Occurrence and risk factors for benign epithelial gastric polyps in atrophic body gastritis on diagnosis and follow-up.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Benign epithelial gastric polyps have been reported to be more common in atrophic body gastritis. The role of Helicobacter pylori infection in the induction of gastric atrophy is well-known. The development of hyperplastic polyps may be in relation to H. pylori infection.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate occurrence of benign epithelial gastric polyps in atrophic body gastritis patients at diagnosis and follow-up, and the role of H. pylori and other risk factors for the development of benign epithelial gastric polyps.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 259 consecutive atrophic body gastritis patients included in a follow-up programme, of whom 202 were followed up for median period of 4 years (range: 2-11). At baseline and follow-up gastroscopies, the presence of benign epithelial gastric polyps was evaluated. Biopsies for histology were obtained from all detected benign epithelial gastric polyps.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Frequency of benign epithelial gastric polyps in atrophic body gastritis patients were 4.6% at baseline and 5.9% at follow-up. About 91.7% were hyperplastic polyps. H. pylori infection was detected in 79.2% atrophic body gastritis patients with benign epithelial gastric polyps, and in 70.8% without benign epithelial gastric polyps. Smoking was more frequent among patients with benign epithelial gastric polyps [42% vs. 20%, OR 2.8 (95% CI: 1.2-6.9)].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Benign epithelial gastric polyps occur in about 5% of atrophic body gastritis patients, and the vast majority are hyperplastic polyps. Smoking habit, but not H. pylori infection, increases the risk for benign epithelial gastric polyps in atrophic body gastritis patients.
authors.affiliation: Digestive and Liver Disease Unit, Second Medical School, University 'La Sapienza', Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Di Giulio
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lahner
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Micheletti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Milione
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: D'Ambra
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bordi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Delle Fave
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Annibale
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005757:Gastritis, Atrophic / Q000473:pathology*; D016481:Helicobacter Infections; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D007417:Intestinal Polyps / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology