SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT OF ATROPHY AFTER ERADICATION THERAPY IN ATROPHIC BODY GASTRITIS

Chronic atrophic body gastritis may be induced by H. pylori. Results o n the effect of H. pylori eradication therapy have been conflicting. H ere, we report on the effect of eradication therapy on both body atrop hy and inflammation in 7 patients. They presented with severe or moder ate atrophy of the oxyntic mucosa and positive H. pylori histology (Wa rthin-Starry) and/or serology. Eradication was performed with a standa rd double or triple therapy regimen. At least 6 weeks after successful eradication therapy, patients underwent rebiopsy and histopathologica l evaluation of the gastric body. In all 7 patients, the grade of body gastritis improved significantly. Among the patients with severe atro phy before H. pylori eradication, 2 had normal mucosa, 3 low-grade atr ophy, and one moderate atrophy after treatment. The one case with mode rate atrophy before treatment had normal mucosa after H. pylori eradic ation. In addition, inflammatory infiltration of the mucosa cleared up in 6 cases and improved from severe to mild in one case after treatme nt. From these results, we conclude that in patients with histological ly demonstrated H. pylori and/or positive H. pylori serology atrophic body mucosa can recover after successful eradication therapy.