Chronic gastritis is characterized by a

superficial lymphocyte infiltrate in the

lamina propria. a.Etiology. Chronic gastritis
can be caused by (1)Prolonged use of
alcohol, aspirin, and other irritating drugs.
(2)Radiation
or
thermal
injury
(3)Immunologic factors, (4) Injections (e.g.,
H. pylon) b.
Types (1)
Chronic
type A gastritis involves the fundus and
body of the stomach , the antrum is spared.
This type of gastritis is associated with
parietal cell antibodies, high serum gastrin
levels, and pernicious anemia. (2) Chronic
type B gastritis involves the antrum of the
stomach, the body % fundus are relatively
spared. Gastrin cell antibodies have been
detected
with this gastritis. More
commonly, reflux of duodenal or biliary
secretions or H. pylori infections are linked
causatively to type B gastritis.c.
Clinical
features. Clinical evidence may be limited
in patient with chronic gastritis. Type A
gastritis is associated with hypochlorhydria
or achlorhydia, whereas type B gastritis is
associated with normal acid levels.
Hypothyrodism, diabetes mellitus, &
vitiligo occur more frequently with type A
than with type B gas. d. Clinical course.
Data suggest that these lesions may remain
unchanged for several years. Gastric atrophy
develops in approximately 50% of patients
with superficial gastritis over 1020 years.
There is an increased association with
gastric polyps, gastric ulcer, and gastric
cancer in both types of chronic gast, with
type B being associated with a higher
incidence of gastric cancer than type A e.
Therapy. Treatment usually is unnecessary;
however, condition associated with gastritis
(e.g., pernicious anemia, H. pylon infections,
hypothyro ) should be treated accordingly.
Some authors suggest yearly gastric
cytologic analysis as a means of diagnosing
an early cancer in affected patients.