title: Is there a possible relation between atrophic gastritis and premature atherosclerosis?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this study, we have aimed to show the possible relation between atrophic gastritis and premature atherosclerosis via hyperhomocysteinemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-four patients with atrophic gastritis were enrolled to the study. The control group consisted of 35 patients with non-atrophic gastritis. Classical cardiovascular disease risk factors did not significantly differ between atrophic gastritis and control subjects. The presence and degree of atrophic gastritis were assessed histologically and Helicobacter pylori infection was determined by both histologic and serologic methods. Body mass index was measured by standard technique blood fasting glucose, serum creatinine, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, vitamin B12, folic acid, and homocysteine levels were measured by biochemical methods. Carotid intima-media thickness was measured by B-mode ultrasonography to examine the premature atherosclerosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Plasma vitamin B12 levels were significantly lower (p = .00) and homocysteine levels were significantly higher (p = .01) in the atrophic gastritis group. There was no statistically significant difference in plasma folic acid levels between the two groups (p = .728). Carotid intima-media thickness was higher in the atrophic gastritis group than in the control group (0.516 mm versus 0.465 mm), but this difference did not show any statistical significance (p = .062).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results showed that atrophic gastritis may cause hyperhomocysteinemia, which is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. However, when compared with controls, carotid intima-media thickness of the atrophic gastritis patients was found to be higher but did not reach statistically significant levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University Medical School, Izmir, Turkey. drufukkana@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ufuk
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kutluana
authors.forename: Ilkay
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Simsek
authors.forename: Mesut
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akarsu
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kupelioglu
authors.forename: Sebnem
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karasu
authors.forename: Emel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Altekin
mesh_terms: D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005757:Gastritis, Atrophic / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D014805:Vitamin B 12