Chronic Atrophic Gastritis with Erosion Symptoms

Chronic atrophic gastritis is a type of chronic gastric disease characterized by the thinning of the gastric mucosa, reduction in the number of gastric glands, and thickening of the mucosal basement membrane. It may also be accompanied by intestinal metaplasia, pyloric metaplasia, or dysplasia. When erosion is present, it indicates the presence of superficial necrotic lesions that do not extend beyond the muscularis mucosae.

Patients often experience non-specific symptoms such as mild upper abdominal pain, bloating, belching, and loss of appetite. In more advanced cases, weight loss and anemia may occur. If the gastric mucosa is eroded, it can lead to minor or even significant upper gastrointestinal bleeding. In cases of atrophic gastritis in the gastric corpus combined with pernicious anemia, symptoms such as pallor, fatigue, weakness, and emotional apathy may appear, while digestive symptoms may be less noticeable. Some patients may also suffer from bile reflux or mucosal erosion.

As the disease progresses into deeper glandular layers, the glands become damaged and reduced in number, leading to fibrosis of the lamina propria and further thinning of the mucosa. This condition is classified into non-metaplastic and metaplastic atrophy depending on the presence of metaplasia. Multifocal atrophy involving the gastric antrum and corpus, especially centered around the angularis, increases the risk of gastric cancer.

Although the symptoms are not specific, it is important to seek medical attention if any of the above signs appear. Early diagnosis and standardized treatment under the guidance of a physician can help prevent the progression of the disease and reduce the risk of complications.