Autoantibodies in simple atrophic gastritis

Abstract

Nine patients with superficial and 38 with atrophic chronic gastritis, proven by biopsy, showed a high incidence of autoantibodies to gastric parietal cells. Patients with pernicious anemia were excluded, and in only 2 was there a doubtful family history of pernicious anemia. In no case were there antibodies to intrinsic factor, in contrast to an incidence of nearly 60% in pernicious anemia. Correlation was found between parietal cell antibodies and degree of loss of parietal cells, severity of the gastric secretory defect and the presence of thyroid antibodies.