Gastritis and peptic ulcer disease

Gastritis and peptic ulcer disease

Gastritis and peptic ulcer disease

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Gastritis - Stomach's Fiery Fury

Inflammation of the stomach lining. Acute involves neutrophilic infiltrate, while chronic gastritis shows lymphocytes and plasma cells, often with intestinal metaplasia.

FeatureAcute GastritisChronic Autoimmune (A)Chronic H. pylori (B)
CauseNSAIDs, Alcohol, StressAnti-Parietal Cell AbH. pylori infection
LocationDiffuseBody / FundusAntrum (most common)
Assoc.Erosions, UlcersPernicious Anemia, AchlorhydriaPeptic Ulcers, MALToma

H. pylori is the most common cause of chronic gastritis and is strongly associated with the development of peptic ulcer disease, gastric adenocarcinoma, and MALT lymphoma.

H. pylori - The Spiral Bandit

  • Gram-negative, spiral-shaped bacterium primarily colonizing the gastric antrum.
  • Virulence Factors:
    • Urease: Neutralizes gastric acid by converting urea to ammonia, allowing survival.
    • CagA, VacA: Cytotoxins that promote inflammation and ulceration.
  • Clinical Associations:
    • Chronic gastritis & peptic ulcer disease (>90% of duodenal ulcers).
    • Gastric adenocarcinoma & MALT lymphoma.

⭐ Eradication of H. pylori can lead to complete regression of MALT lymphoma.

H. pylori bacteria on gastric mucosa (Warthin-Starry stain)

Peptic Ulcer Disease - Digging Deep

  • Etiology: Imbalance between mucosal defenses & acidic environment.
    • Primary Culprits: H. pylori infection (>90% of duodenal, >70% of gastric), NSAIDs (↓ prostaglandins).
    • Less Common: Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, smoking, stress (Cushing/Curling ulcers).
  • Clinical Features:
    • Duodenal Ulcer: Epigastric pain improves with meals. More common.
    • Gastric Ulcer: Epigastric pain worsens with meals.
    • 📌 Mnemonic: DUde, food helps DUodenal.
  • Complications: Hemorrhage, perforation, gastric outlet obstruction.

Perforated Ulcer: Presents as sudden, severe abdominal pain, often with free air under the diaphragm on X-ray and referred pain to the shoulder (Kehr's sign) due to phrenic nerve irritation.

Zollinger-Ellison - Gastrin Gone Wild

Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome: Overview

  • Gastrinoma: A gastrin-secreting neuroendocrine tumor, typically in the duodenum or pancreas.
  • Pathophysiology: ↑ Gastrin → parietal cell hyperplasia → massive ↑ acid secretion.
  • Presentation: Multiple, treatment-refractory ulcers (including distal duodenum/jejunum), abdominal pain, and chronic diarrhea (steatorrhea).
  • Diagnosis: ↑ Fasting serum gastrin (>1000 pg/mL) with gastric pH < 4; positive secretin stimulation test.

⭐ Roughly 25% of gastrinomas are associated with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 (MEN1).

PUD Complications - Alarming Perforations

  • Most common site: Anterior duodenum > anterior stomach.
  • Presentation: Sudden onset of severe, diffuse abdominal pain.
    • Classic finding: Rigid, board-like abdomen.
  • Diagnosis: Upright chest X-ray shows pneumoperitoneum (free air under the diaphragm).
  • Sequelae: Leads to chemical peritonitis from gastric contents.

Upright CXR: Pneumoperitoneum from perforated ulcer

Kehr's Sign: Subdiaphragmatic free air can irritate the phrenic nerve, causing referred pain to the shoulder.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • *H. pylori is the leading cause of gastritis, peptic ulcers, and gastric adenocarcinoma.
  • Autoimmune gastritis involves T-cell mediated destruction of parietal cells, leading to pernicious anemia.
  • NSAIDs cause ulcers by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis, reducing mucosal protection.
  • Duodenal ulcer pain improves with meals, while gastric ulcer pain worsens.
  • Suspect Zollinger-Ellison syndrome with multiple, distal, or refractory ulcers.
  • Upper GI bleeding is the most common complication; perforation is the most lethal.

Practice Questions: Gastritis and peptic ulcer disease

Test your understanding with these related questions

A 41-year-old female complains of frequent diarrhea and abdominal pain between meals. Endoscopy reveals a duodenal ulcer distal to the duodenal bulb. CT scan of the abdomen demonstrates a pancreatic mass, and subsequent tissue biopsy of the pancreas reveals a malignant islet cell tumor. Which of the following hormones is likely to be markedly elevated in this patient:

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Flashcards: Gastritis and peptic ulcer disease

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_____ staining or gram-staining of the gastric mucosa can reveal H. pylori

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

_____ staining or gram-staining of the gastric mucosa can reveal H. pylori

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