Intestinal metaplasia of gastric cardia and carditis in Japanese patients with Helicobacter pylori infection

AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal metaplasia of the gastric cardia in Japanese patients with Helicobacter pylori infection. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-seven patients with H. pylori infection participated in this study. Four biopsy specimens were taken from antrum, lesser and greater curvatures of stomach, and cardia for histological examination. The patients were divided into three groups: those < or = 39 years of age (group A), those 40-59 years old (group B), and those > or = 60 years of age (group C). RESULTS: The proportions of the patients with intestinal metaplasia of the gastric cardia in the three groups were 12, 39, and 65%, respectively. Their intestinal metaplasia of gastric cardia scores were 0.2, 0.54, and 0.81, respectively (significant difference among groups A, B, and C: p < 0.05), according to the updated Sydney classification. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of intestinal metaplasia of the gastric cardia and carditis in Japanese patients with H. pylori infection was similar to that of metaplasia of antrum and lesser curvature of the stomach.