Autoimmune gastritis

This was previously known as Type A gastritis.

Autoimmune gastritis is mainly confined to the acid- secreting corpus mucosa. The gastritis is diffuse and eventually severe atrophy develops.

Investigations include:

• endoscopy - diffuse chronic gastritis and atrophy of the corpus mucosa with antral sparing
• blood tests
  • antibodies to parietal cell antibodies or intrinsic factor are generally present
  • gastrin levels are high when the patient becomes achlorhydric
    
    
• double-contrast barium meal (now rarely used) - may be abnormal and show thin gastric folds

Management:

• treatment of pernicious anaemia; there also be associated iron deficiency (1)

Reference:

• Mohamed M et al. Pernicious anaemia. BMJ 2020;369:m1319.