Macroscopic picture of gastric mucosa in endoscopic examination of patients with chronic gastritis and food allergy

The aim of the study was to evaluate the difference in macroscopic picture of the stomach in patients with food allergy and in non-atopic patients with H. pylori infection. In the study, patients with atopic diathesis, suffering from dyspepsia or abdominal pain were analysed. The study group included 72 women aged 16-57 years (mean age 36.5 years) and 38 men aged 16 and 60 years (mean age 34.4 years). Control group was formed of 40 patients without atopy (13 men and 27 women, aged 18-56 years--mean age 34.8 years), with endoscopically and histologically confirmed gastritis. All the patients underwent endoscopy of upper gastrointestinal tract with the use of fiberoscope GIF-E OLYMPUS and video endoscopy monitor OEV 203 OLYMPUS (Japan). The following features of gastritis were considered in endoscopic assessment: oedema, reddening and fragility of mucous membrane, spotted and macular exudate, flat and raised erosions, proliferation and atrophy of mucosal folds, vascular network, intramural extravasation, mucosal structure. The results obtained were verified statistically with chi-squared independence tests for 2 x 2 tables. Statistical analysis of the incidence of these signs of inflammation in patients with food allergy did not show significant differences in relation to subjects with non-atopic gastritis.