| Abstract: | Background: One of the most important endoscopic findings for the diagnosis of chronic gastritis is erythema. Erythema is classified into two groups: spotted or scattered erythema and linear erythema. We feel that red streaking has a tendency to be found on the apparently normal gastric mucosa without inflammation. Methods: To evaluate this association prospectively, we conducted the present study in 1513 consecutive patients undergoing endoscopy. Helicobacter pylori infection was assessed by rapid urease test, culture, pathological test, serological test and urea breath test using 13C. Results: Of these patients, red streaking was recognized in 94 patients (6.2%). All of the tests showed very low prevalence (0–3.5%) of H. pylori infection in patients with red streaking whereas positive results were obtained recognized in 42–49% of 94 age‐sex‐matched patients without red streaking. Additionally, no peptic‐ulcer diseases, such as gastric ulcer/ulcer scar and duodenal ulcer/ulcer scar, were found in the patients with red streaks. In conclusion, red streaking is a negative sign for H. pylori infection and peptic‐ulcer diseases. Conclusions: The understanding of these results might also improve the effort and cost‐effectiveness of endoscopic examinations by avoiding unnecessary further testing. |
