No higher risk for colorectal cancer in atrophic gastritis-related hypergastrinemia

Dig Liver Dis. 2012 Sep;44(9):793-7. doi: 10.1016/j.dld.2012.04.012. Epub 2012 May 15.

Abstract

Background: Atrophic gastritis of the corporal mucosa is a frequent cause of hypergastrinemia. Hypergastrinemia is implicated in colorectal cancer development.

Aim: To assess whether hypergastrinemic atrophic gastritis is associated with a higher risk of neoplastic colorectal lesions.

Methods: Among 441 hypergastrinemic atrophic gastritis patients, 160 who were aged >40 and underwent colonoscopy for anaemia, diarrhoea or colorectal cancer-screening were retrospectively selected. Each patient was age- and gender-matched with a normogastrinemic control with healthy stomach. Controls had colonoscopy, gastroscopy with biopsies and gastrin assessment.

Results: 160 hypergastrinemic atrophic gastritis patients and 160 controls were included. 28 atrophic gastritis patients and 36 controls had neoplastic colorectal lesions (p=0.33). Patients and controls did not differ for frequency of colorectal adenomas (10.6% vs. 13.1%, p=0.60) or cancer (6.9% vs. 9.4%, p=0.54). Hypergastrinemic atrophic gastritis was not associated with a higher probability of developing colorectal cancer (OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.34-3.16). Age >50 years (OR 3.86) but not hypergastrinemia (OR 0.61) was associated with colorectal cancer.

Conclusions: Hypergastrinemic atrophic gastritis is not associated with higher risk for colorectal cancer. Atrophic gastritis-related hypergastrinemia is not associated with an increased risk of neoplastic colorectal lesions. Closer surveillance of colonic neoplasia in atrophic gastritis patients seems not appropriate.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / blood
  • Adenocarcinoma / etiology*
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Adenoma / blood
  • Adenoma / etiology*
  • Adenoma / pathology
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / blood
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Confidence Intervals
  • Female
  • Gastrins / blood*
  • Gastritis, Atrophic / blood
  • Gastritis, Atrophic / complications*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Odds Ratio
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Statistics, Nonparametric

Substances

  • Gastrins