Atrophic gastritis is a type of chronic inflammation of the gastric mucosa, manifested by its atrophic changes (thinning, a decrease in the number of glands and their secretory insufficiency).

Changes in the gastric mucosa with atrophic gastritis.

The prevalence of the disease in the population is not exactly confirmed: according to various sources, every third adult inhabitant of the Earth suffers from chronic gastritis, no more than 10-15% seek medical help. The bulk of gastritis (up to 90%) is represented by a chronic disease associated with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, slightly less than 10% of cases in the structure of the incidence belong to autoimmune gastritis.

The true prevalence of atrophic changes in the gastric mucosa is unknown, but based on the assumption that it is the outcome of Helicobacter pylori gastritis or the manifestation of autoimmune gastritis, it is believed that the incidence of atrophic forms of the disease can reach 50-60%.

In half the cases, atrophic gastritis is combined with elements of structural rearrangement of the mucous membrane (intestinal metaplasia, pyloric metaplasia of the fundus glands, villous metaplasia, pancreatic metaplasia, dysplasia or neoplasia of the epithelium).

According to statistics, the probability of malignant degeneration with atrophic gastritis is approximately 15%.

Causes and Risk Factors The disease is multifactorial.. There are several reasons that can lead to atrophy of the mucous membrane and functional failure of the stomach:.

gross errors in diet;

taking certain medications;

exposure to toxic substances;

duodenal reflux (reflux into the stomach of the contents of the small intestine);

chronic pathological processes;

age-related degenerative changes in the gastric mucosa;

genetically determined atrophy.

Nevertheless, Helicobacter pylori and autoimmune gastritis are currently considered the main causes of atrophic gastritis..

Atrophic gastritis arising from infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria is explained by prolonged massive colonization of the gastric wall by microorganisms in the absence of adequate therapy, which leads to thinning and depletion of the mucous membrane with subsequent atrophy.

One of the reasons for the development of atrophic gastritis is the defeat by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. In the autoimmune process, the body produces protective antibodies to its own structures - the parietal cells of the stomach and the Castle internal factor.. Antibodies bind to the microvilli of parietal cells, damaging them (progressive atrophy of these cells develops in the body and bottom of the stomach), and block the connection of Castle factor with an inactive form of vitamin B12, provoking the development of pernicious anemia.

Symptoms The main manifestations of atrophic gastritis are due to functional insufficiency of the stomach, developing against the background of changes in the mucous membrane. Among these manifestations:.

dyspeptic syndrome (digestive disturbance syndrome) - a decrease or complete lack of appetite, belching of air or rotten food, nausea, a feeling of heaviness and overflow in the epigastric region, putrid breath, an unpleasant taste in the mouth;

excess bacterial growth syndrome - rumbling in the abdomen, increased gas, unstable stool;

anemic syndrome - characteristic changes in the general analysis of blood in combination with rapid fatigability, worsening of tolerance of usual physical activities, drowsiness, apathy;

pain syndrome - dull aching pains, aggravated after eating, due to overstretching of the walls of the stomach;

dystrophic syndrome - the result of malabsorption of vitamins and digestion of nutrients.

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