Some personal comments on the Sydney system for the classification of chronic gastritis

The Sydney system for the classification of chronic gastritis is a system for describing the histopathological findings of a biopsy specimen. It involves the analysis of two to four biopsies of the gastric mucosa taken from arbitrary sites, which, taken alone, are insufficient for extrapolation to the diagnosis of the whole stomach. The system seems to be useful as a computer-oriented method fo documenting the histopathological analysis of the two to four biopsy specimens obtained from the arbitrary sites in the antrum or corpus. One biopsy specimen is obtained from the anterior wall of the antrum, the other from the posterior wall. They would be better obtained from the lesser and greater curvatures, which areas would provide more accurate data concerning the antrum or body. While this may be invaluable for researchers with particular interests, it is quite valueless for the majority of clinicians who must diagnose and treat their patients. When a classification is made, its purposes should, firstly, be clear and definite. Secondly, the classification should be simple and easy to use. If a classification is effective, it will be widely used. However, in this field, it is almost impossible to achieve a classification that will fully satisfy all practitioners and researchers with different interests. The Sydney system alone is not sufficient for the classification of chronic gastritis. It is merely a system for describing the histopathological findings of biopsy specimens. It does not allow for an integrated diagnosis of chronic gastritis of the entire stomach.