Relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and different pathological types of chronic atrophic gastritis and analysis of serum gastric function.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare the Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection rate and serum gastric function among patients with chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) of different pathological types and to determine the value of combining these tests in assessing the extent and severity of CAG atrophy.

METHODOLOGY: We retrospectively analyzed 60 patients with CAG and 46 patients with chronic non-atrophic gastritis (CNAG) who underwent gastroscopy between July 2023 and June 2024. Endoscopic findings, histopathology, Hp status and serum gastric function indices were compared.

RESULTS

Compared with the CNAG group, the CAG group showed a significantly higher Hp positivity rate, lower serum group I pepsinogen (PG I) and group II pepsinogen (PG II) levels and higher gastrin 17 (G-17) levels (p < 0.01). In patients with CAG, open-type cases had a significantly higher Hp positivity rate (p < 0.05), lower PG I and PG II levels and higher G-17 levels (p < 0.01) than closed-type cases. The positive Hp rate was significantly higher in the atrophic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia group than in the glandular reduction atrophic gastritis group (p < 0.05), with the contents of PG I and PG II significantly lower in the former than in the latter and the content of G-17 significantly higher in the former than in the latter (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Helicobacter pylori infection is strongly associated with CAG, with marked differences in Hp rates and serum gastric function across pathological and microscopic types. Combined serum gastric function and Hp testing can help assess the extent and severity of atrophy.