Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentSummaryFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Atrophic gastritis is a condition that affects nearly 8% of the population.It is a form of chronicgastritisthat changes the cells in the stomach lining, wherestomach acidis made. It can cause several symptoms, such as stomach pain and tiredness, but it may also present without any symptoms.
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Definition of Atrophic Gastritis
Gastritis is the inflammation of the stomach lining. Atrophic gastritis is a form of chronic gastritis that also has the following features:
Location
Atrophic gastritis affects the lining of the stomach, medically known as the gastric mucosa. This layer of the stomach contains the cells that makestomach acidand protects the stomach against irritation.
Bacterial Infection vs. Autoimmune
There are two common causes of atrophic gastritis: abacterial infectionand anautoimmuneresponse.
H. pyloriis spread through contact with infected saliva, stool, or vomit. It can also be spread through contaminated water and food.
Autoimmune atrophic gastritis occurs when the body attacks the healthy cells in the stomach lining. This leads to decreased stomach acid production and the loss of intrinsic factor, a protein that helps the body absorb vitamin B12.
Those with autoimmune atrophic gastritis can have significant vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, which is called pernicious anemia.
Acute vs. Chronic vs. Atrophic Gastritis
Gastritisis the inflammation of the stomach lining.
Atrophic gastritisis when chronic gastritis also involves cell changes in the stomach lining causing atrophy and a decrease in stomach acid production.
How Does Stomach Inflammation Happen?
Stomach inflammation refers to the swelling and irritation of the lining of the stomach. It can happen from anH. pyloriinfection, autoimmune response,bile reflux, or lifestyle factors. Lifestyle factors can include:
Your Guide to Living With Gastritis
Risk Factors
One of the main risk factors for atrophic gastritis is anH. pyloriinfection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), certain populations have a higher likelihood of acquiringH. pylori. These populations include:
Autoimmune atrophic gastritis was formerly thought to be a disease mainly affecting older women of northern European ancestry. However, it has been found in people of all ages, ethnicities, and genders.
Prevention
There is no perfect way to prevent gastritis. However, there are ways to reduce your risk of developing the condition, including:
People with atrophic gastritis may not have symptoms until late into their disease. This makes it difficult to diagnose and treat promptly.
Autoimmune atrophic gastritis symptoms are generally a result of thevitamin B12 deficiencycalledpernicious anemia. These symptoms can include:
Diagnostic Testing
Blood tests may be used to look at gastric function, but the gold standard diagnostic test is an upper endoscopy, also known as anesophagogastroduodenoscopy(EGD).
An EGD is a small scope inserted into the mouth, advanced through theesophagus, and passed into the stomach. With a small camera on the end, it can take images of the stomach and also remove tissue for biopsies. An EGD can confirm the gastritis diagnosis.
If a healthcare provider suspects anH. pyloriinfection, they may order a blood, stool, or breath test to diagnose the infection.
Atrophic gastritis treatment is focused on managing the underlying cause of the condition.
Since the majority of people with atrophic gastritis have anH. pyloriinfection, it is important to treat and eliminate that bacterium.H. pyloritreatment involves taking aproton pump inhibitor (PPI)and two antibiotics for the prescribed length of time.
If the patient has vitamin B12 deficiency,supplements, or intravenous (IV) infusions may be used to restore their levels.
An affected gastric mucosa can return to normal in some people who successfully have theirH. pyloriinfection treated.
Cancer Link
Atrophic gastritis is considered a precursor to stomach cancer. However, most people who have atrophic gastritis will not get stomach cancer.
A 2017 study showed less than 2% of people with atrophic gastritis gotstomach cancer.
While there is a link between atrophic gastritis and cancer, it is not guaranteed. It’s important to look at other risk factors, likealcohol consumptionand age, which may play a factor in the development of stomach cancer.
Management After Initial Treatment
Immediate management of atrophic gastritis involvesantibiotics(as appropriate) and PPI medications. The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) recommends a routineEGDto look for stomach cancer and other stomach changes. The AGA recommends performing an EGD every three years in people with advanced atrophic gastritis.
Frequently Asked QuestionsOne of the causes of atrophic gastritis is anH. pyloriinfection. AfterH. pyloriis treated, it may be possible to be reinfected with the bacteria.Atrophic gastritis is always a precancerous condition. However, less than 2% of people with atrophic gastritis will develop cancer.There is no natural way to treat atrophic gastritis, but there are lifestyle changes that can help. Removing irritants from the diet can reduce stomach irritation. Avoiding smoking, stress, and NSAIDs can also help relieve symptoms.
One of the causes of atrophic gastritis is anH. pyloriinfection. AfterH. pyloriis treated, it may be possible to be reinfected with the bacteria.
Atrophic gastritis is always a precancerous condition. However, less than 2% of people with atrophic gastritis will develop cancer.
There is no natural way to treat atrophic gastritis, but there are lifestyle changes that can help. Removing irritants from the diet can reduce stomach irritation. Avoiding smoking, stress, and NSAIDs can also help relieve symptoms.
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lahner E, Esposito G, Galli G, Annibale B.Atrophic gastritis and pre-malignant gastric lesions. Translational Gastrointestinal Cancer. 2015;4(4):27281-27281.UpToDate.Metaplastic (chronic) atrophic gastritis.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Gastritis & gastropathy.MedlinePlus.Helicobacter pylori infection.MedlinePlus.Intrinsic factor.Medical University of South Carolina.Gastritis.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gastritis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Helicobacter pylori: fact sheet for health care providers.Neumann WL, Coss E, Rugge M, Genta RM.Autoimmune atrophic gastritis–pathogenesis, pathology and management.Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2013;10(9):529-541. doi:10.1038/nrgastro.2013.101Kryssia IRC, Marilisa F, Antonino N, et al.Clinical manifestations of chronic atrophic gastritis.Acta Biomed. 2018;89(Suppl 8):88-92. doi:10.23750/abm.v89i8-S.7921MedlinePlus.Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) tests.Minalyan A, Benhammou JN, Artashesyan A, Lewis MS, Pisegna JR.Autoimmune atrophic gastritis: current perspectives.Clin Exp Gastroenterol. 2017;10:19-27. doi:10.2147/CEG.S109123Shah SC, Piazuelo MB, Kuipers EJ, Li D.Aga clinical practice update on the diagnosis and management of atrophic gastritis: expert review.Gastroenterology. 2021;161(4):1325-1332.e7. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2021.06.078Cheung DY.Atrophic gastritis increases the risk of gastric cancer in asymptomatic population in Korea.Gut Liver. 2017;11(5):575-576. doi:10.5009/gnl17356
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lahner E, Esposito G, Galli G, Annibale B.Atrophic gastritis and pre-malignant gastric lesions. Translational Gastrointestinal Cancer. 2015;4(4):27281-27281.UpToDate.Metaplastic (chronic) atrophic gastritis.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Gastritis & gastropathy.MedlinePlus.Helicobacter pylori infection.MedlinePlus.Intrinsic factor.Medical University of South Carolina.Gastritis.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gastritis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Helicobacter pylori: fact sheet for health care providers.Neumann WL, Coss E, Rugge M, Genta RM.Autoimmune atrophic gastritis–pathogenesis, pathology and management.Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2013;10(9):529-541. doi:10.1038/nrgastro.2013.101Kryssia IRC, Marilisa F, Antonino N, et al.Clinical manifestations of chronic atrophic gastritis.Acta Biomed. 2018;89(Suppl 8):88-92. doi:10.23750/abm.v89i8-S.7921MedlinePlus.Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) tests.Minalyan A, Benhammou JN, Artashesyan A, Lewis MS, Pisegna JR.Autoimmune atrophic gastritis: current perspectives.Clin Exp Gastroenterol. 2017;10:19-27. doi:10.2147/CEG.S109123Shah SC, Piazuelo MB, Kuipers EJ, Li D.Aga clinical practice update on the diagnosis and management of atrophic gastritis: expert review.Gastroenterology. 2021;161(4):1325-1332.e7. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2021.06.078Cheung DY.Atrophic gastritis increases the risk of gastric cancer in asymptomatic population in Korea.Gut Liver. 2017;11(5):575-576. doi:10.5009/gnl17356
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Lahner E, Esposito G, Galli G, Annibale B.Atrophic gastritis and pre-malignant gastric lesions. Translational Gastrointestinal Cancer. 2015;4(4):27281-27281.UpToDate.Metaplastic (chronic) atrophic gastritis.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Gastritis & gastropathy.MedlinePlus.Helicobacter pylori infection.MedlinePlus.Intrinsic factor.Medical University of South Carolina.Gastritis.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gastritis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Helicobacter pylori: fact sheet for health care providers.Neumann WL, Coss E, Rugge M, Genta RM.Autoimmune atrophic gastritis–pathogenesis, pathology and management.Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2013;10(9):529-541. doi:10.1038/nrgastro.2013.101Kryssia IRC, Marilisa F, Antonino N, et al.Clinical manifestations of chronic atrophic gastritis.Acta Biomed. 2018;89(Suppl 8):88-92. doi:10.23750/abm.v89i8-S.7921MedlinePlus.Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) tests.Minalyan A, Benhammou JN, Artashesyan A, Lewis MS, Pisegna JR.Autoimmune atrophic gastritis: current perspectives.Clin Exp Gastroenterol. 2017;10:19-27. doi:10.2147/CEG.S109123Shah SC, Piazuelo MB, Kuipers EJ, Li D.Aga clinical practice update on the diagnosis and management of atrophic gastritis: expert review.Gastroenterology. 2021;161(4):1325-1332.e7. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2021.06.078Cheung DY.Atrophic gastritis increases the risk of gastric cancer in asymptomatic population in Korea.Gut Liver. 2017;11(5):575-576. doi:10.5009/gnl17356
Lahner E, Esposito G, Galli G, Annibale B.Atrophic gastritis and pre-malignant gastric lesions. Translational Gastrointestinal Cancer. 2015;4(4):27281-27281.
UpToDate.Metaplastic (chronic) atrophic gastritis.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Gastritis & gastropathy.
MedlinePlus.Helicobacter pylori infection.
MedlinePlus.Intrinsic factor.
Medical University of South Carolina.Gastritis.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gastritis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Helicobacter pylori: fact sheet for health care providers.
Neumann WL, Coss E, Rugge M, Genta RM.Autoimmune atrophic gastritis–pathogenesis, pathology and management.Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2013;10(9):529-541. doi:10.1038/nrgastro.2013.101
Kryssia IRC, Marilisa F, Antonino N, et al.Clinical manifestations of chronic atrophic gastritis.Acta Biomed. 2018;89(Suppl 8):88-92. doi:10.23750/abm.v89i8-S.7921
MedlinePlus.Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) tests.
Minalyan A, Benhammou JN, Artashesyan A, Lewis MS, Pisegna JR.Autoimmune atrophic gastritis: current perspectives.Clin Exp Gastroenterol. 2017;10:19-27. doi:10.2147/CEG.S109123
Shah SC, Piazuelo MB, Kuipers EJ, Li D.Aga clinical practice update on the diagnosis and management of atrophic gastritis: expert review.Gastroenterology. 2021;161(4):1325-1332.e7. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2021.06.078
Cheung DY.Atrophic gastritis increases the risk of gastric cancer in asymptomatic population in Korea.Gut Liver. 2017;11(5):575-576. doi:10.5009/gnl17356
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