Duodenal gastric metaplasia, gastric anatomic-functional correlations (parietal cell mass and hydrochloric acid secretion) and Helicobacter pylori. Any differences between chronic autonomous non-specific duodenitis ("non active") and duodenal ulcer?

Background And Methods: Aim of the present experience was to carry out a study on a dyspeptic population in order to verify the role of Helicobacter Pylori (HP), duodenal gastric metaplasia (GM), hydrochloric acid secretion in the genesis of chronic autonomous non-specific duodenitis (ANSD). A comparison with duodenal ulcer (DU) was effected.

Results: Histology showed the presence of ANSD in 24.6% of dyspeptic population. GM was present in 15.1% of ANSD, in 12.8% of dyspepsia without ANSD and in 78.1% of DU. HP in duodenum was present in 12.1% of ANSD, in 10.8% of cases of dyspepsia and in 75% of DU. Concerning parietal cell mass and acid secretion in ANSD and in dyspepsia was found a prevalence of normoparietalism with normochlorhydria, while in DU was found a prevalence of hyperparietalism with hyperchlorhydria. This study shows that the role of HP has not a well defined etiologic weight in ANSD.

Conclusions: The observations of the present experience, which differentiate ANSD and DU, lead to exclude a pathogenetic relation between ANSD and DU.