Clinical profiles, endoscopic and laboratory features and associated factors in patients with autoimmune gastritis

Background/Aims: Autoimmune gastritis (AIG) may predispose to gastric carcinoid tumors or adenocarcinomas and may also cause unexplained iron and/or vitamin B₁₂ deficiency. The aims of this study were to explore clinical manifestations, endoscopic findings and laboratory features of patients with AIG. Methods: 109 patients with AIG were enrolled into the study. In addition to demographic and clinical data, gastric lesions, serum gastrin, vitamin B₁₂, antiparietal cell antibody (APA), current Helicobacter pylori status, and anti-H. pylori IgG were also investigated. Results: The mean age of the patients was 53.06 ± 12.7 years (range 24-81; 72 (66.1%) women). The most common main presenting symptom was abdominal symptoms in 51 patients, consultation for iron and/or vitamin B₁₂ deficiency in 36, and non-specific symptoms including intermittent diarrhea in 15 patients. Endoscopic lesions were detected in 17 patients, hyperplastic polyps in 8, gastric carcinoid tumor in 4, fundic gland polyps in 3, and adenomatous polyps in 2 patients. H. pylori was negative in all patients in biopsy specimens; however, anti-H. pylori IgG was positive in 30 (27.5%) patients. 91 patients (83.4%) were positive for APA. Conclusion: In patients with AIG, the main symptoms prompted for clinical investigation were: Abdominal symptoms, iron/B₁₂ deficiency and non-specific symptoms. 20% of patients with AIG had various gastric lesions including type I gastric carcinoids. None of the patients were positive for H. pylori by means of invasive tests; however, anti-H. pylori IgG was found in 27.5% of patients. Patients referring with non-specific abdominal symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea and iron/B ₁₂ deficiency should be investigated for the presence of AIG.