Corpus gastritis and erosive esophagitis: a report from the Middle East.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether corpus gastritis due to Helicobacter pylori protects against erosive esophagitis in an area with high prevalence of H. pylori infection.


METHODS
Biopsies obtained from gastric corpus and antrum in 151 patients with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease were studied for presence of H. pylori and endoscopic evidence of gastritis. Presence and grade of esophagitis at endoscopy was recorded.


RESULTS
Fifty-four (36%) patients had endoscopic esophagitis. Patients with severe esophagitis (>or= grade II) less often had active gastritis (15/45 vs. 55/98; p=0.02) and had a lower density of H. pylori (p=0.0003) than those without esophagitis.


CONCLUSIONS
Active corpus gastritis due to H. pylori infection may protect against erosive esophagitis in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease in the Middle East.
Contractor
Qais Qutub
QQ
Department of Internal Medicine, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Buraidah, Gassim, Saudi Arabia. drqaisqc@hotmail.com
ul Haque
Imran
I
Saka
Hala
H
Contractor
Tasneem Qais
TQ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004942:Esophagitis, Peptic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005756:Gastritis / Q000382:microbiology*; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000382:microbiology*; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012529:Saudi Arabia