Frequent occurrence of gastritis and duodenitis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Background: The purpose was to study the epidemiology of Helicobacter-negative gastritis among a large group of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and healthy controls. Methods: From a computerized database of surgical pathology reports we selected 5493 patients who underwent colonoscopy and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with biopsy results from both procedures. The presence of gastritis and duodenitis was compared among 550 case subjects with IBD and 4943 healthy control subjects. The results are expressed as prevalence rates, as well as age- and sex-adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Results: Any type gastritis was found in 13% of controls and 25% of IBD patients (Crohn's disease [CD] 33%, ulcerative colitis [UC] 19%). Duodenitis was found in 1% of controls and 13% of IBD patients (CD 26%, UC 3%). In subjects younger than 18 years the prevalence of gastritis and duodenitis were 53% and 40% in CD, respectively, and 38% and 0% in UC, respectively. Similar prevalence rates were found in men and women. The odds ratio for Helicobacter-negative chronic active gastritis associated with CD was 11.7 (7.5-18.0) and with UC 2.8 (1.4-5.0). The corresponding values for focally enhanced gastritis were 40.1 (15.5-114.9) in CD and 0 in UC. Conclusions: Helicobacter-negative gastritis and duodenitis occur significantly more often in patients with IBD than healthy controls. Such upper gastrointestinal inflammation appears to be particularly common in CD and younger patients.