Autoimmune conditions and gastric cancer risk in a population-based study in the United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND: Although overall incidence of gastric cancer is decreasing, incidence has been increasing among young people in some Western countries. This trend may stem from the increase in autoimmune conditions. METHODS: A nested case-control study of gastric cancer in UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Up to ten cancer-free controls were matched to cases by age and sex. Conditional logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations between analyzable autoimmune conditions (n = 34) and gastric cancer with Bonferroni correction. We evaluated associations between pernicious anaemia and other conditions. A meta-analysis of published prospective studies and ours was conducted. RESULTS: Among 6586 cases (1156 cardia, 1104 non-cardia, and 4334 overlapping/unspecified tumours) and 65,687 controls, any autoimmune condition was associated with gastric cancer (OR = 1.10; 95% CI: 1.01-1.20). Individuals with pernicious anaemia had higher gastric cancer risk than those without (OR = 2.75; 2.19-3.44). Among controls, pernicious anaemia was associated with seven other conditions (OR range: 2.21-29.80). The pooled estimate for any autoimmune condition and gastric cancer was 1.17 (1.14-1.21; n = 47,126 cases). CONCLUSION: Autoimmunity increases gastric cancer risk. Some autoimmune conditions may be indirectly associated with gastric cancer via pernicious anaemia. Pernicious anaemia could be considered for gastric cancer risk stratification and screening.

Measurement of the major ignored burden of multiple myeloma, pernicious anaemia and of other haematological conditions on partners and family members: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Having a haematological condition can adversely affect the quality of life (QoL) of family members/partners of patients. It is important to measure this often ignored burden in order to implement appropriate supportive interventions. OBJECTIVE: To measure current impact of haematological conditions on the QoL of family members/partners of patients, using the Family Reported Outcome Measure-16 (FROM-16). METHODS: A cross-sectional study, recruited online through patient support groups, involved UK family members/partners of people with haematological conditions completing the FROM-16. RESULTS: 183 family members/partners (mean age = 60.5 years, SD = 13.2; females = 62.8%) of patients (mean age = 64.1, SD = 12.8; females = 46.4%) with 12 haematological conditions completed the FROM-16. The FROM-16 mean total score was 14.0 (SD = 7.2), meaning 'a moderate effect on QoL'. The mean FROM-16 scores of family members of people with multiple myeloma (mean = 15.8, SD = 6.3, n = 99) and other haematological malignancies (mean = 13.9, SD = 7.8, n = 29) were higher than of people with pernicious anaemia (mean = 10.7, SD = 7.5, n = 47) and other non-malignant conditions (mean = 11, SD = 7.4, n = 56, p < .01). Over one third (36.1%, n = 183) of family members experienced a 'very large effect' (FROM-16 score>16) on their quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Haematological conditions, in particular those of malignant type, impact the QoL of family members/partners of patients. Healthcare professionals can now, using FROM-16, identify those most affected and should consider how to provide appropriate holistic support within routine practice.

Incidence and Predictors of Gastric Neoplastic Lesions in Corpus-Restricted Atrophic Gastritis: A Single-Center Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: Corpus-restricted atrophic gastritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder leading to possible development of type 1 neuroendocrine tumors (T1gNET), intraepithelial neoplasia (IEN), and gastric cancer (GC). We aimed to assess occurrence and predictors of gastric neoplastic lesions in patients with corpus-restricted atrophic gastritis at long-term follow-up. METHODS: A prospective single-center cohort of patients with corpus-restricted atrophic gastritis adhering to endoscopic-histological surveillance was considered. Follow-up gastroscopies were scheduled according to the management of epithelial precancerous conditions and lesions of the stomach guidelines. In case of new/worsening of known symptoms, gastroscopy was anticipated. Cox regression analyses and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were obtained. RESULTS: Two hundred seventy-five patients with corpus-restricted atrophic gastritis (72.0% female, median age 61 [23-84] years) were included. At a median follow-up of 5 (1-17) years, the annual incidence rate person-year was 0.5%, 0.6%, 2.8%, and 3.9% for GC/high-grade IEN, low-grade IEN, T1gNET, and all gastric neoplastic lesions, respectively. All patients showed at baseline operative link for gastritis assessment (OLGA)-2, except 2 low-grade (LG) IEN patients and 1 T1gNET patient with OLGA-1. Age older than 60 years (hazard ratio [HR] 4.7), intestinal metaplasia without pseudopyloric metaplasia (HR 4.3), and pernicious anemia (HR 4.3) were associated with higher risk for GC/HG-IEN or LG-IEN development and shorter mean survival time for progression (13.4, 13.2, and 11.1, respectively, vs 14.7 years, P = 0.01). Pernicious anemia was an independent risk factor for T1gNET (HR 2.2) and associated with a shorter mean survival time for progression (11.7 vs 13.6 years, P = 0.04) as well as severe corpus atrophy (12.8 vs 13.6 years, P = 0.03). DISCUSSION: Patients with corpus-restricted atrophic gastritis are at increased risk for GC and T1gNET despite low-risk OLGA scores, and those aged older than 60 years with corpus intestinal metaplasia or pernicious anemia seem to display a high-risk scenario.

Associations Between Autoimmune Conditions and Gastric Cancer Risk Among Elderly Adults in the United States.

INTRODUCTION: Pernicious anemia (PA) is a risk factor for gastric cancer. Other autoimmune conditions may also contribute. METHODS: In a case-control study, we evaluated 47 autoimmune conditions among 39,125 gastric cancers and 200,000 cancer-free controls. RESULTS: Six conditions were associated with increased gastric cancer risk (range of adjusted odds ratios: 1.28-1.93, P < 0.05): PA, membranous nephropathy, primary biliary cirrhosis, pure red cell aplasia, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and Graves disease. PA was associated with 8 other autoimmune conditions (adjusted odds ratios: 1.57-4.54, P < 0.05). DISCUSSION: Autoimmune conditions associated with gastric cancer or PA may reflect effects of autoimmune gastritis or other carcinogenic pathways.

Aggregation of autoimmunity in extended families of people with autoimmune Addison disease.

BACKGROUND: Autoimmunity accounts for 90% of cases of primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease (AD)). Affected people present a significant co-occurrence of autoimmune conditions; hence, clustering of autoimmunity is also predicted among their relatives. AIMS: To evaluate the burden of autoimmunity in families of people with AD. METHODS: A total of 116 individuals with AD was surveyed regarding the occurrence of 23 autoimmune diseases among their relatives. RESULTS: A total of 74.1% of persons with AD reported at least one relative with an autoimmune disorder - 257 cases were diagnosed in 221 relatives. Hashimoto thyroiditis was found in 100 individuals, followed by Graves disease and vitiligo, in 25 and 24 relatives respectively. Type 1 diabetes was diagnosed in 23 relatives, psoriasis in 15, rheumatoid arthritis in 12, pernicious anaemia in 11, multiple sclerosis in 8, and premature menopause in 8 women. AD was found in seven relatives, alopecia in six and celiac disease in five. Other conditions were rare. Significant correlation was noticed between the number of autoimmune conditions in AD proband and the number of affected relatives (P = 0.031). A total of 66.4% of people with AD had a first-degree relative suffering from autoimmunity. Autoimmune conditions were more frequent among females: sisters (P < 0.001), mothers (P = 0.002) and grandmothers (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Considerable prevalence of autoimmune conditions in relatives of people with AD confirms substantial risk of autoimmunity, especially in females and relatives of patients affected by multiplex autoimmunity. Our data corroborate the recommendation of active screening for autoimmune disorders, particularly thyroid disease, among AD family members.

Genetically predicted circulating B vitamins in relation to digestive system cancers.

BACKGROUND: Folate, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 have been associated with digestive system cancers. We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomisation study to assess the causality of these associations. METHODS: Two, one and 14 independent single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with serum folate, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 at the genome-wide significance threshold were selected as genetic instruments. Summary-level data for the associations of the vitamin-associated genetic variants with cancer were obtained from the UK Biobank study including 367,561 individuals and FinnGen consortium comprising up to 176,899 participants. RESULTS: Genetically predicted folate and vitamin B6 concentrations were not associated with overall cancer, overall digestive system cancer or oesophageal, gastric, colorectal or pancreatic cancer. Genetically predicted vitamin B12 concentrations were positively associated with overall digestive system cancer (ORSD, 1.12; 95% CI 1.04, 1.21, p = 0.003) and colorectal cancer (ORSD 1.16; 95% CI 1.06, 1.26, p = 0.001) in UK Biobank. Results for colorectal cancer were consistent in FinnGen and the combined ORSD was 1.16 (95% CI 1.08, 1.25, p < 0.001). There was no association of genetically predicted vitamin B12 with any other site-specific digestive system cancers or overall cancer. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence to suggest that elevated serum vitamin B12 concentrations are associated with colorectal cancer.

Helicobacter pylori infection and nonmalignant diseases.

A substantial decrease in Helicobacter pylori-associated peptic ulcer disease has been observed during the last decades. Drug-related ulcers as well as idiopathic ulcers are becoming predominant and are more refractory to treatment; however, H. pylori infection still plays an important role in ulcer bleeding and recurrence after therapy. The effect of H. pylori eradication upon functional dyspepsia symptoms has been reviewed in this article and generally confirms the results of previous meta-analyses. Additional evidence suggests a lack of impact upon the quality of life, in spite of improvement in symptoms. The association of H. pylori with gastroesophageal reflux disease and Barrett's esophagus remains controversial with a majority of published studies showing a negative association. Furthermore, a strong inverse relationship between the presence of H. pylori and the esophageal eosinophilia was also reported. Several studies and a review addressed the role of H. pylori in autoimmune gastritis and pernicious anemia. The association of the above still remains controversial. Finally, the necessity of routine endoscopy and H. pylori eradication before bariatric surgery is discussed. Several studies suggest the rationale of preoperative upper endoscopy and H. pylori eradication prior to surgery. However, the prevalence of H. pylori infection prior to surgery in these studies generally reflects the overall prevalence of the infection in the particular geographic area. In addition, results on the role of H. pylori in developing postoperative complications remain controversial.

Autoimmune gastritis: relationships with anemia and Helicobacter pylori status.

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune gastritis (AIG) is a gastric pathologic condition affecting the mucosa of the fundus and the body and eventually leading to hypo-achlorhydria. AIMS: We report our clinical and pathological experience with AIG. METHODS: Data from patients with a diagnosis of AIG seen in the period January 2002-December 2012 were retrieved. Only patients with complete sets of biopsies were analyzed. RESULTS: Data from 138 patients were available for analysis. Pernicious anemia was present in 25% of patients, iron deficiency anemia was found in 29.7% of patients, hypothyroidism in 23% of patients, type 1 diabetes in 7.9% of patients, and vitiligo in 2.8% of patients. Parietal cell antibodies were positive in 65% of patients, and no patient had serology positive for celiac disease. All gastric biopsies showed glandular atrophy associated with enterochromaffin-like (ECL)-cells hyperplasia, features limited to the mucosa of the fundus and body, and focal glandular intestinal metaplasia. Helicobacter pylori was negative in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: AIG was strongly associated with anemia; atrophy, intestinal metaplasia and ECL hyperplasia in the gastric fundus and body are hallmarks of this condition.

Comorbid autoimmune diseases in patients with vitiligo: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Few large-scale studies have quantified the burden of comorbid autoimmune diseases in patients with vitiligo. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the prevalence of comorbid autoimmune diseases in patients with vitiligo. METHODS: We conducted a manual chart review on a cohort of 1873 patients with vitiligo seen between January 2002 and October 2012 at the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, MI. Patients were excluded if they had fewer than 2 dermatology notes (N = 595) or if they were never given a diagnosis of vitiligo by a dermatologist (N = 180). RESULTS: Of 1098 patients with vitiligo, nearly 20% had at least 1 comorbid autoimmune disease. Compared with the general US population, we found a higher prevalence of thyroid disease (12.9%, P < .001), alopecia areata (3.8%, P < .001), inflammatory bowel disease (0.9%, P = .046), pernicious anemia (0.5%, P = .007), systemic lupus erythematosus (0.3%, P = .048), Guillain-Barre syndrome (0.3%, P < .001), discoid lupus (0.2%, P = .003), linear morphea (0.2%, P < .001), myasthenia gravis (0.2%, P = .002), and Sjögren syndrome (0.2%, P = .011). LIMITATIONS: The study lacked a control group. This was a single-institution study with possible selection bias, and thus the findings may not be representative of the overall population of patients with vitiligo. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a high prevalence of comorbid autoimmune diseases in patients with vitiligo and report several new associations.

Gastric neuroendocrine tumors: prevalence in Europe, USA, and Japan, and rationale for treatment with a gastrin/CCK2 receptor antagonist.

OBJECTIVE: Gastric carcinoids (neuroendocrine tumors) arise from enterochromaffin-like cells in the gastric mucosa. Most are caused by hypergastrinemia. The objectives were to determine if their prevalence in Europe, USA and Japan meets the criteria for an orphan disease and to justify treatment with a gastrin/CCK2 receptor antagonist. METHODS: We obtained data from European and USA cancer registries, and searched PubMed. RESULTS: Prevalence per 10,000 population obtained from cancer registries was: median 0.32 (range 0.09-0.92) for Europe; and 0.17 for the USA, equivalent to 4812 for the whole population. A PubMed search for gastric carcinoids yielded prevalence for Japan only, which was 0.05 per 10,000 population, equivalent to 665 for the entire population. A further search for gastric carcinoids in patients with pernicious anemia (PA) or autoimmune chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG), two presentations of about 80% of gastric carcinoids, produced prevalence rates of 5.2-11%. Prevalence of PA itself was 0.12-1.9%. Data on CAG epidemiology were sparse. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of gastric carcinoids varied widely. All sources probably underestimate prevalence. However, prevalence was below the limits required for recognition by drug regulatory authorities as an orphan disease: 5 per 10,000 population of Europe; 200,000 for the whole population of the USA; and 50,000 for the whole population of Japan. Because gastric carcinoids are an orphan disease, and nonclinical and healthy volunteer studies support treatment with netazepide, a gastrin/CCK2 antagonist, netazepide has been designated an orphan medicinal product in Europe and the USA for development as targeted treatment for gastric carcinoids.

Hematinic deficiencies and pernicious anemia in oral mucosal disease patients with macrocytosis.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Macrocytosis is defined as having the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) ≥ 100 fL. This study assessed hematinic deficiencies and pernicious anemia (PA) in oral mucosal disease patients with macrocytosis. METHODS: The blood hemoglobin (Hb), iron, vitamin B12, folic acid, and homocysteine concentrations and MCV in 60 oral mucosal disease patients with macrocytosis were measured and compared with the corresponding data in 120 age- and sex-matched healthy control participants. PA was defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as having an Hb concentration < 13 g/dL for men and < 12 g/dL for women, an MCV ≥ 100 fL, a serum vitamin B12 level < 200 pg/mL, and serum gastric parietal cell antibody (GPCA) positivity. RESULTS: We found that 30 (50.0%), 7 (11.7%), 24 (40.0%), and three (5.0%) oral mucosal disease patients with macrocytosis had deficiencies of Hb (men < 13 g/dL, women < 12 g/dL), iron (< 60 µg/dL), vitamin B12 (< 200 pg/mL), and folic acid (< 4 mg/mL), respectively. Moreover, 38 (63.3%) and 16 (26.7%) macrocytosis patients had abnormally high blood homocysteine level (> 12.3 µM) and serum GPCA positivity, respectively. Macrocytosis patients had a significantly higher frequency of Hb, iron, or vitamin B12 deficiency, of abnormally elevated blood homocysteine level, and of GPCA positivity than healthy control participants (p < 0.001). However, only 16.7% of 60 macrocytosis patients were diagnosed as having PA by the WHO definition. CONCLUSION: Only 16.7% of oral mucosal disease patients with macrocytosis are discovered to have PA by the WHO definition.

Neurological manifestations of B(12) deficiency with emphasis on its aetiology.

BACKGROUND: It is believed that Pernicious anaemia (PA) is more common in the West. We postulate however that in India PA is probably an important aetiological factor as a cause of Vitamin B12 deficiency in patients having neurological disease. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the aetiological factors resulting in Vitamin B12 (Vit B12) deficiency in patients with subacute combined degeneration (SACD) and other neurological manifestations. METHODS: We undertook a prospective study of 50 patients, all clinically suspected to have Vit B12 deficiency; they were investigated clinically, haematologically, biochemically and radiologically. RESULTS: There was a dominance of males (41 of 50) with the majority in the age group of more than 40 years of age. There was no correlation between the socio-economic and dietary status on the one hand and the clinical manifestation on the other. Anti intrinsic factor antibodies (AIFAB) were positive in 19 of 50 patients (38%) and anti parietal cell antibodies (APCAB) were positive in 28 of 50 (56%) patients. CONCLUSION: We conclude that Pernicious anaemia is an important cause of various neurological manifestations including SACD in the Vitamin B12 deficient population in the age group of more than 40 years, irrespective of the socio-economic and dietary status in the Indian subcontinent. It is supported by the presence of AIFAB or APCAB in this group.

A multicenter retrospective analysis of the clinical features of pernicious anemia in a Korean population.

To determine the approximate incidence and clinical features of pernicious anemia in a Korean population, we retrospectively analyzed clinical data for patients with pernicious anemia who were diagnosed between 1995 and 2010 at five hospitals in Chungnam province. Ninety-seven patients were enrolled, who accounted for 24% of patients with vitamin B(12) deficiency anemia. The approximate annual incidence of pernicious anemia was 0.3 per 100,000. The median age was 66 (range, 32-98) yr, and the male/female ratio was 1.25. Anemia-associated discomfort was the most common symptom (79.4%), followed by gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms (78.4% and 38.1%, respectively). Pancytopenia was found in 36 patients (37.1%), and autoimmune disorders were found in 15 patients (15.5%). Antibody to intrinsic factor was detected in 62 (77.5%) of 80 patients examined, and antibody to parietal cells was detected in 35 (43.2%) of 81 patients examined. Of the 34 patients who underwent tests for Helicobacter pylori, 7 (12.5%) were positive. The anemia-associated and gastrointestinal symptoms resolved completely in all patients after intramuscular injection of cobalamin, whereas neurological symptoms remained in some. In conclusion, pernicious anemia is less frequent in Koreans than in Western populations; however, the clinical features of this disorder in Koreans do not differ from those of Western cases.

Retrospective cross-sectional study of 34 cases of pernicious anemia at Mohammed V Military Training Hospital, Morocco.

Introduction: pernicious anemia is an autoimmune disease characterized by atrophic gastritis due to malabsorption of vitamin B12. Certain oral manifestations, such as Hunter´s glossitis and burning mouth syndrome, may precede the onset of this anemia. The aim of this study is to describe the clinical presentation, para-clinical aspects, the treatment, and the evolution of the pernicious anemia (PA) after treatment. Methods: retrospective study conducted at the Department of Haematology and Internal Medicine B of the Mohammed V Military Training Hospital in Rabat between January 2009 and December 2018. Thirty-four patients were enrolled with vitamin B12 deficiency, non-regenerative macrocytic anemia, a positive anti-intrinsic factor antibody and anti-parietal cell antibody and a histological diagnosis of atrophic gastritis in the presence or not of Helicobacter pylori. The qualitative variables were expressed in numbers and percentages, and the quantitative variables in mean and standard deviation. Multivariate analysis used the Fischer test; it was considered significant for a p < 0.05 value. Results: thirty-four cases were studied; the population study consists of 56% (n=19) of men and 44% (n=15) of women. The average age was 54.88± 9.14. The clinical manifestations of pernicious anemia are dominated by megaloblastic anemia 85.3% (n=29), followed by digestive 58.8%(n=20) and oral 55.9% (n=19) signs. Neurological manifestations were rarely found in 41% (n=14). Hunter´s glossitis 37% (n=7), stomatodynia 11% (n=2) were the most common oral manifestations accompanying pernicious anemia. The evolution was favorable in 79.4% (n=27) patients under substitution therapy with vitamin B12. Conclusion: dentists´ involvement in the diagnosis of pernicious anemia is based on changes in oral mucous membranes, which have been reported in 55.9% of all patients. These oral changes may occur in the absence of symptomatic anemia.

Epidemiology of vitiligo, associated autoimmune diseases and audiological abnormalities: Ankara study of 80 patients in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Recent clinical studies suggest that the pathogenetic mechanisms of vitiligo could be of systemic origin as vitiligo is associated with auditory abnormalities as well as other autoimmune disorders. OBJECTIVES: To investigate clinical, genetic characteristics and laboratory findings of vitiligo as well as auditory abnormalities and the association of the disease with the other autoimmune disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January to December 2008, we collected-data from 80 vitiligo patients to establish the clinical and epidemiological profile of vitiligo in Turkey. RESULTS: Thirty patients were men and 50 were women, with a mean age of 37 years and a mean onset age of 10 years. Vitiligo vulgaris was the most common type, followed by focal, acrofacial, segmental and universal types. Forty-four (55%) patients had an associated autoimmune disease. These associated diseases were Hashimoto thyroiditis in 25, alopecia areata in 10, pernicious anaemia in seven and diabetes mellitus in two patients. Statistically significant changes in human leukocyte antigen in patients with vitiligo were HLA A24,-30, B63, CW6, DR15, DR51, DQ5,-6. Auditory problems were observed in 37.7% patients. Nine of the 20 patients showed unilateral minimal hearing loss (>30 dB), while the other 11 demonstrated bilateral hearing loss (>30 dB) over a large range of frequencies (2000-8000 Hz). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that vitiligo is a part of systemic autoimmune process. Audiological examination should be performed in all patients for auditory problems which are commonly presented as hypoacusis.

Predictive risk factors for autoimmune thyroid diseases in patients with pernicious anemia.

BACKGROUND: Patients with pernicious anemia (PA) have a higher prevalence of other autoimmune diseases. We assessed the correlation between PA and autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD), and evaluated the risk factors for this association. METHODS: A longitudinal study was conducted involving patients with PA between 2010 and 2017. RESULTS: A total of 86 patients with PA were evaluated, 74 (86%) female, with a median age of 51.5 years. Thyroid abnormalities were detected in 45 (52.3%) patients, including 28 (32.3%) hypothyroidism, 3 (3.5%) hyperthyroidism and 20 (23.3%) thyroperoxidase antibody positivity. Logistic regression analysis identified risk factors for having AITD in PA patients: weight loss (OR 12.03; 95% CI 1.06-137.02, P=0.045), diabetes mellitus (OR 4.68, 95% CI 1.15-26.58, P=0.047) and gastric antibodies positivity (OR 5.05, 95% CI 1.45-18.24, P=0.013). CONCLUSION: PA and AITD are frequently associated, suggesting all patients with PA should be investigated for occult thyroid disease, especially those with weight loss, diabetes mellitus and gastric autoantibodies.

Gastric cancer in autoimmune gastritis: A case-control study from the German centers of the staR project on gastric cancer research.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with autoimmune gastritis (AIG) are reported to have an increased risk of developing gastric cancer (GC). In this study, we assess the characteristics and outcomes of GC patients with AIG in a multicenter case-control study. METHODS: Between April 2013 and May 2017, patients with GC, including cancers of the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) Siewert type II and III, were recruited. Patients with histological characteristics of AIG were identified and matched in a 1:2 fashion for age and gender to GC patients with no AIG. Presenting symptoms were documented using a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Histological assessment of gastric mucosa was available for 572/759 GC patients. Overall, 28 (4.9%) of GC patients had AIG (67 ± 9 years, female-to-male ratio 1.3:1). In patients with AIG, GC was more likely to be localized in the proximal (i.e. EGJ, fundus, corpus) stomach (odds ratio (OR) 2.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0-7.1). In GC patients with AIG, pernicious anemia was the leading clinical sign (OR 22.0, 95% CI 2.6-187.2), and the most common indication for esophagogastroduodenoscopy (OR 29.0, 95% CI 7.2-116.4). GC patients with AIG were more likely to present without distant metastases (OR 6.2, 95% CI 1.3-28.8) and to be treated with curative intention (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.0-9.0). The five-year survival rates with 95% CI in GC patients with and with no AIG were 84.7% (83.8-85.6) and 53.5% (50.9-56.1), respectively (OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.08-0.75, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Pernicious anemia leads to earlier diagnosis of GC in AIG patients and contributes significantly to a better clinical outcome.

Thyroid and gastric autoimmune diseases.

OBJECTIVES: Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) is frequently accompanied by other organ-specific diseases. We investigated the frequency of the association AITD-Biermer's disease (BD) in patients with AITD by investigating the prevalence of intrinsic factor antibodies (IF-Ab). DESIGN AND METHODS: Sera from 113 patients with AITD (hypo- or hyperthyroidism) were screened for the presence of type I IF-Ab with a competitive automated immunoassay based. Matched sera from 113 patients with dysthyroidism (not AITD) were tested. RESULTS: Four IF-Ab positive patients suffered from AITD. BD was known for two of them and strongly suspected in the two others. All patients with no AITD tested IF-Ab negative. B12 levels were often low whatever the etiology. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of IF-AbI is higher (3.5%) in patients with AITD. Prospective studies should investigate whether correcting thyroid dysfunction improves vitamin B12 levels, and establish whether routine screening for gastric autoimmunity is clinically useful or purely academic.