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Is there a possible relation between atrophic gastritis and premature atherosclerosis?
Ufuk Kutluana1, Ilkay Simsek, Mesut Akarsu
1Department of Internal Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University Medical School, Izmir, Turkey. drufukkana@yahoo.com
Insights
Atrophic gastritis may lead to higher homocysteine levels, a risk factor for atherosclerosis. While carotid intima-media thickness was increased in patients with atrophic gastritis, the difference was not statistically significant.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Cardiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Atrophic gastritis is a condition affecting the stomach lining.
- Hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.
- The relationship between atrophic gastritis and premature atherosclerosis via hyperhomocysteinemia requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential association between atrophic gastritis and premature atherosclerosis.
- To examine the role of hyperhomocysteinemia in this relationship.
- To compare cardiovascular risk factors and carotid intima-media thickness between patients with and without atrophic gastritis.
Main Methods:
- Histological and serological assessment of atrophic gastritis and Helicobacter pylori infection.
- Biochemical analysis of homocysteine, vitamin B12, folic acid, and other cardiovascular risk factors.
- B-mode ultrasonography to measure carotid intima-media thickness for assessing premature atherosclerosis.
Main Results:
- Significantly lower plasma vitamin B12 levels (p = .00) and higher homocysteine levels (p = .01) were observed in the atrophic gastritis group.
- No significant difference in plasma folic acid levels was found between the groups (p = .728).
- Carotid intima-media thickness was higher in the atrophic gastritis group (0.516 mm) compared to controls (0.465 mm), but this difference was not statistically significant (p = .062).
Conclusions:
- Atrophic gastritis may contribute to hyperhomocysteinemia, a known risk factor for atherosclerosis.
- While carotid intima-media thickness was elevated in patients with atrophic gastritis, the findings did not reach statistical significance.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the link between atrophic gastritis, hyperhomocysteinemia, and the progression of atherosclerosis.
Background:
In this study, we have aimed to show the possible relation between atrophic gastritis and premature atherosclerosis via hyperhomocysteinemia.
Materials And Methods:
Thirty-four patients with atrophic gastritis were enrolled to the study. The control group consisted of 35 patients with non-atrophic gastritis. Classical cardiovascular disease risk factors did not significantly differ between atrophic gastritis and control subjects. The presence and degree of atrophic gastritis were assessed histologically and Helicobacter pylori infection was determined by both histologic and serologic methods. Body mass index was measured by standard technique blood fasting glucose, serum creatinine, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, vitamin B12, folic acid, and homocysteine levels were measured by biochemical methods. Carotid intima-media thickness was measured by B-mode ultrasonography to examine the premature atherosclerosis.
Results:
Plasma vitamin B12 levels were significantly lower (p = .00) and homocysteine levels were significantly higher (p = .01) in the atrophic gastritis group. There was no statistically significant difference in plasma folic acid levels between the two groups (p = .728). Carotid intima-media thickness was higher in the atrophic gastritis group than in the control group (0.516 mm versus 0.465 mm), but this difference did not show any statistical significance (p = .062).
Conclusion:
Our results showed that atrophic gastritis may cause hyperhomocysteinemia, which is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. However, when compared with controls, carotid intima-media thickness of the atrophic gastritis patients was found to be higher but did not reach statistically significant levels.
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