Comparison of H. pylori-gastritis among young and old patients by using "the modified Sydney system of classification and grading".
It is well known that the age at which H. pylori infection is acquired is crucial in the genesis of gastric cancer. The aim of the study is to compare antral biopsies from younger (age range 3 - 20 years) and older (age range 51 - 60 years) patients infected with H. pylori. The biopsies were graded for five parameters according to the guidelines from "The modified Sydney System of Classification and Grading of gastritis". There was no significant difference in three parameters i.e. H. pylori density, neutrophilic activity and chronic inflammation between the two age groups. Two parameters i.e. the mucosal atrophy and intestinal metaplasia were, however, more prevalent in older age group. They are considered preneoplastic for gastric cancer. This study demonstrated that the intensity of inflammation is not age related. Preneoplastic changes do, however, begin to emerge later in life.
Khan
A R
AR
Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.