$Unique_ID{BRK03763} $Pretitle{} $Title{Gastritis, Chronic, Erosive} $Subject{Gastritis Chronic Erosive Gastritis Varioliform Gastritis Idiopathic Chronic Erosive Gastritis Crohn's Disease Acute Gastritis Peptic Ulcer Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome} $Volume{} $Log{} Copyright (C) 1989 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. 719: Gastritis, Chronic, Erosive ** IMPORTANT ** It is possible that the main title of the article (Chronic, Erosive Gastritis) is not the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYM listing to find the alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article. Synonyms Gastritis Varioliform Gastritis Idiopathic Chronic, Erosive Gastritis Information on the following diseases can be found in the Related Disorders section of this report: Crohn's Disease Acute Gastritis Peptic Ulcer Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome General Discussion ** REMINDER ** The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources" section of this report. Chronic, Erosive Gastritis is characterized by many inflamed lesions in the mucous lining of the stomach. It may be a transitory or a chronic condition lasting for years. Symptoms Chronic, Erosive Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach characterized by multiple lesions in the mucous lining causing ulcer-like symptoms. These symptoms may include a burning and heavy feeling in the pit of the stomach, mild nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and weakness. In severe cases there can be bleeding of the stomach which may result in anemia. Some people with this disorder, especially chronic aspirin users, may show no apparent symptoms until the disease has advanced. An accurate diagnosis can be made by physician's visual inspection of the stomach using a gastroscope. Causes The exact cause of Chronic, Erosive Gastritis is unknown. It may be the result of an infection, over indulgence of alcohol, or persistent use of aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen. Stress tends to make symptoms worse. Crohn's disease and Sarcoidosis have been known to be factors in some cases of Chronic, Erosive Gastritis, while some cases have no apparent cause at all. Affected Population Chronic, Erosive Gastritis usually occurs during middle age and is more common in males than females. Alcoholics and chronic aspirin or ibuprofen users (e.g. people with arthritis) are more susceptible to this disorder. Related Disorders The following disorders may have symptoms similar to Chronic, Erosive Gastritis. Comparisons may be useful for a differential diagnosis: Crohn's Disease, also known as ileitis, regional enteritis, or granulomatous colitis is a form of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by severe, often granulomatous, chronic inflammation of the wall of the gastrointestinal tract. In most cases, a segment of the intestines called the ileum. Crohn's disease can be difficult to manage. Mortality due to the disease itself, or to complications from the disease, is low. (For more information on this disorder, choose "Crohn's" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database). Acute Erosive Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach characterized by lesions in the mucous membranes of the stomach and ulcer-like symptoms. This type of Gastritis is caused by a variety of stresses such as major trauma, multiple injuries or serious burns. Peptic Ulcer is a common disorder usually characterized by a single lesion of the mucous membranes of the esophagus, stomach or duodenum. These lesions may be caused by an over secretion of acid or pepsin and are characterized by pain, heartburn, nausea and vomiting. Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome is a rare condition characterized by stomach ulcers and small tumors (usually of the pancreas) which secrete a hormone that produces excessive amounts of gastric juices in the stomach. These tumors can also appear in the lower stomach wall, spleen or lymph nodes close to the stomach. Large amounts of gastric acid can be found in lower stomach areas where ulcers can form. Ulcers can appear suddenly even in areas where they are rarely found, may persist following treatment, and can be accompanied by diarrhea. Prompt medical treatment of these ulcers is necessary to prevent complications such as bleeding and perforation. (For more information on this disorder, choose "Zollinger-Ellison" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database.) Therapies: Standard Because Chronic, Erosive Gastritis may cause symptoms similar to other gastrointestinal disorders, a full medical history must be known before an effective treatment can be determined. Most cases are usually treated with acid neutralizing medications (antacids) and H2 blocker drugs such as Zantac (ranitidine) or Tagamet (cimetidine). Dietary changes and avoiding the irritating causes such as stomach irritating drugs or stressful situations are also helpful in eliminating the symptoms of Chronic, Erosive Gastritis. The prostaglandin E1 analog drug, Cytotec (misoprostol) has proven to be an effective preventative medication for gastric lesions associated with high-dose aspirin or ibuprofen therapy. This drug is effective in healing the gastric mucosal lesions without altering the therapeutic benefits of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs given to arthritis patients. Other treatment is symptomatic and supportive. Therapies: Investigational At the present time, a study is being conducted on the effectiveness of the drug bismuthsubsalicylate as a treatment for Chronic, Erosive Gastritis. More research must be conducted to determine long-term safety and effectiveness of this drug. This disease entry is based upon medical information available through December 1989. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder. Resources For more information on Chronic, Erosive Gastritis, please contact: National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) P.O. Box 8923 New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783 (203) 746-6518 National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse Box NDDIC Bethesda, MD 20892 (301) 468-2162 National Foundation for Ileitis and Colitis 444 Park Avenue, South New York, NY 10016 (212)685-3440 References INTERNAL MEDICINE, 2nd Ed.: Jay H. Stein, ed-in-chief; Little, Brown and Co., 1987. Pp. 110. THE MERCK MANUAL, 15th Ed.: Robert Berkow, M.D. ed-in-chief; Merck, Sharp & Dohme Laboratories., 1987. Pp. 736. TREATMENT OF CHRONIC EROSIVE GASTRITIS WITH PREDNISOLONE. M. Farthing, et al.; GUT, (September 1981, issue 22 (9)). Pp. 759-762. MECHANISMS OF NON-STEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUG-INDUCED GASTRIC DAMAGE. R. Schoen et al.; AM J MED, (April 1989, issue 86 (4)). Pp. 449- 558. NEOPLASIA IN CHRONIC EROSIVE (VALIOLIFORM) GASTRITIS. M. Cappell et al.; DIG DIS SCI, (August 1988, issue 33 (8)). Pp. 1035-1039. MISOPROSTOL HEALS GASTRODUODENAL INJURY IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS RECEIVING ASPIRIN. S. Roth et al.; ARCH INTERN MED, (April 1989 issue 149 (4)). Pp. 775-779. PROSTAGLANDIN E1 ANALOGUE THERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF REFRACTORY GASTRIC ULCER IN AN ELDERLY PATIENT. E. Ramsey et al.; ARCH INTERN MED, (October 1988 issue 148 (10)). Pp. 2275-2276. CHRONIC EROSIVE GASTRITIS: A CLINICAL STUDY. C. Gallagher et al.; AM J GASTROENTEROL, (April 1987, issue 82 (4)). Pp. 302-306. CHRONIC EROSIVE GASTRITIS--A RECENTLY RECOGNIZED DISORDER. G. Elta et al.; DIG DIS SCI (January 1983, issue 28 (1)). Pp. 7-12.