and peptic ulcer disease

Chapter 47 Gastritis and peptic ulcer disease




Peptic ulceration is defined as a breach in the mucosa (i.e. full-thickness loss) of the gastrointestinal tract caused by the action of acidic gastric juice. Peptic ulcers can be acute or chronic, although sometimes the term peptic ulcer is confined to the chronic variety (Fig. 3.47.1). Some types of inflammation of the stomach (gastritis) are especially associated with peptic ulcer formation, and these are discussed in this chapter.





Gastritis




Chronic gastritis


Chronic gastritis can be generated by any of the causes of acute gastritis if they act for long enough. In addition, chronic gastritis can occur de novo through autoimmune mechanisms. For example, pernicious anaemia is an autoimmune condition in which damage to parietal cells causes l0ss of intrinsic factor and hence failure of vitamin B12 absorption. It is associated with inflammation and subsequent atrophy of the mucosa in the gastric body and fundus. However, the most common cause of chronic gastritis is infection with Helicobacter pylori.


Although H. pylori does not invade the tissues, it lives in the surface mucus of gastric mucosa (Fig. 3.47.2) where it secretes a number of toxins that damage surface epithelial cells and break down the mucus barrier. When first acquired, this organism produces a transient acute gastritis, but this is self-limiting and often produces no symptoms. Some individuals mount an effective defence and eliminate the organism. Many individuals do not clear the organism, however, and a chronic carrier state develops. This carrier state is associated with chronic inflammation of the mucosa driven by a Th1 immune response, the severity of the inflammation depending on the strain of the infecting organism. As a result, patients may either have abdominal symptoms or be asymptomatic. The most common serious sequela of H. pylori infection is peptic ulceration.


< div class='tao-gold-member'>

Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel

Jul 3, 2016 | Posted by in MUSCULOSKELETAL MEDICINE | Comments Off on and peptic ulcer disease

Full access? Get Clinical Tree

Get Clinical Tree app for offline access