Clinical, endoscopical and histological aspects of Helicobacter pylori in Cote d'Ivoire: study of 102 cases.

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the most frequent aetiological factor of chronic gastritis (CG). The relationship between H. pylori gastritis, gastra-duodenal ulcer and some gastric cancers (adenocarcinoma, gastric MALT lymphoma) has now been proven. Aim: Describe clinical, endoscopical and histological aspects of H. pylori gastritis in Cote d'Ivoire. Methods: retrospective analysis of 1960 gastroscopy reports carry out between January 1994 and December 1995. Analysis of clinical and gastric histological results in 137 patients. Findings: Among 137 patients with gastric biopsy, 102 had H. pylori gastritis (68 men, 38 women, mean age: 39.3 years) and 35 had chemical gastritis. Epigastric pain was the most frequent symptom, The mucosa was frequently erythematous or exsudative at endoscopy. Histological anomalies were located in the antrum, the fundus or generalised, respectively in 33.3%, 25.5% and 41.2% of cases. Mild atrophic CG was more frequent in various locations. Gastritis activity was present in 81.4%, intestinal metaplasia in 18.6% and follicular lymphoid hyperplasia in 36.3% of cases. Conclusion: Clinical and endoscopical aspects of H. pylori gastritis did not present any particularities. Fundic gastritis without antral localisation was not unusual. This situation could be the result of antibiotic and gastric acid secretion inhibitor treatments.