Clinical characteristics and the expression profiles of inflammatory cytokines/cytokine regulatory factors in asymptomatic patients with nodular gastritis.

Background: Nodular gastritis (NG) has been reported in adult dyspeptic patients, whereas information on NG in asymptomatic patients is limited.

Aims: To evaluate the prevalence, clinico-epidemiological characteristics, and expression profiles of inflammatory cytokines or cytokine regulatory factors of NG in asymptomatic adults.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted prospectively using 2,579 consecutive asymptomatic subjects who underwent screening esophagogastroduodenoscopy.