Evaluation of intestinal metaplasia associated with alkaline reflux gastritis and Helicobacter pylori in patients without gastric surgery

Aim: Alkaline reflux gastritis is a term used for gastric mucosa damage due to reflux of duodenal and pancreatic content into stomach. In addition to many histopathological changes caused by alkaline reflux gastritis, the relationship of alkaline reflux gastritis with intestinal metaplasia is also important. Gastric intestinal metaplasia is a precancerous lesion that requires a follow-up protocol. Material and Methods: This study included 1005 patients who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy and were diagnosed with alkaline reflux gastritis at Endoscopy Unit of Gastroenterology Department of KarabA¼k University, Medical School between January 2013 and January 2016. Results: When the data of these patients were retrospectively reviewed, intestinal metaplasia was detected in 203 patients (20.2%), whereas Helicobacter pylori was detected in 466 patients (46.4%). Conclusion: In our study, it was found that there was an increase in the frequency of intestinal metaplasia in patients with alkaline reflux gastritis who had increased with age, male gender and Helicobacter pylori. This was a retrospective study indicating the association of H. pylori with intestinal metaplasia in patients with alkaline reflux gastritis. We think that there is a need for further prospective studies to investigate the presence of intestinal metaplasia in patients with alkaline reflux gastritis.