Title Antralization at the edge of proximal gastric ulcers: Does Helicobacter pylori infection

AIM: To determine the prevalence of antralization at the edge of proximal gastric ulcers, and the effect of H. pylori eradication on the mucosal appearances. METHODS: Biopsies were taken from the antrum, body and the ulcer edge of patients with benign proximal gastric ulcers before and one year after treatment. Gastric mucosa was classified as antral, transitional or body type. H. pylori positive patients received either triple therapy, or omeprazole. RESULTS: Patients with index ulcers in the incisura, body or fundus (n=116) were analyzed. Antral-type mucosa was more prevalent at the ulcer edge in H. pylori-positive patients than H. pylori-negative patients (93 % vs 60 %, OR=8.95, 95 %CI: 2.47-32.4, P=0.001). At one year, there was a significant reduction in the prevalence of antralization (from 93 % to 61 %, P=0.004) at the ulcer edge in patients with H. pylori being eradicated. However, there was no difference in the prevalence of antralization at the ulcer edge in those with persistent infection. CONCLUSION: H. pylori infection is associated with antralization at the edge of proximal gastric ulcers, which may be reversible in some patients after eradication of the infection. Xia HHX, Lam SK, Wong WM, Hu WHC, Lai KC, Wong SH, Leung SY, Yuen ST, Wright NA, Wong BCY. Antralization at the edge of proximal gastric ulcers: Does Helicobacter pylori infection play a role? World J Gastroenterol 2003; 9(6): 1265-1269 http://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/9/1265.asp