The Clinical Features and Helicobacter pylori Eradication Therapy in Lymphofollicular Gastritis: A Single Center Experience

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Lymphofollicular gastritis (LFG) is defined as antral gastritis with endoscopic findings characterized by a miliary pattern resembling “goose flesh”. We aimed to analyze the clinical features of LFG and the utility of Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy in LFG. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with LFG, regardless of upper gastrointestinal symptoms (7 men, 28 women; age range, 21~67 years), were examined for H. pylori using the CLO test during endoscopy. One specimen was obtained from the greater curvatures of the lower body and the antrum. Clinical features were compared according to H. pylori-positive status. RESULTS: Among 35 patients with LFG, 31 (88.6%) were infected with H. pylori. LFG predominantly affected young women (28/35, 80.0%; mean age, 43.73 years). One case of gastric cancer with H. pylori-positive LFG was found. H. pylori eradication rate in LFG patients was low (3/12, 25.0%). CONCLUSIONS: LFG is closely associated with H. pylori infection and predominantly affects women and young adults. Future studies are needed to determine whether H. pylori eradication reduces the risk of gastric cancer.