Gastritis

Question 1

What is it?

Answer 1

Inflammation of the lining of the stomach (inflammation in the gastric mucosa)

Question 2

What are the types of gastritis?

Answer 2

Type A: autoimmune
Type B: bacterial
Type C: chemical

Question 3

What is autoimmune gastritis?

Answer 3

Organ specific autoimmune disease
Autoantibodies to parietal cells and intrinsic factor
Associated with other autoimmune diseases
Atrophy of specialised acid secreting gastric epithelium
Loss of specialised gastric epithelial cells => decreased acid secretion and loss of intrinsic factor (vitamin B12 deficiency - pernicious anaemia)

Question 4

What is bacterial gastritis?

Answer 4

Commonest type of gastritis
Helicobacter pylori related (found in 50% of the population)
Gram negative bacterium
Found in gastric mucus on surface of gastric epithelium
Produces acute and chronic inflammatory response
Increased acid production

Question 5

What is chemical gastritis?

Answer 5

Drugs: NSAIDs
Alcohol
Bile reflux (from duodenum into the stomach and can cause gastritis in distal stomach)

Question 6

Whats the presentation?

Answer 6

Epigastric pain

Vomiting

Question 7

What investigations are done?

Answer 7

Upper GI endoscopy only if suspicious features

Question 8

What is the treatment/management?

Answer 8

Lifestyle changes
H. pylori eradication
PPIs
H2 blockers

Question 9

What is a complication?

Answer 9

GI haemorrhage