Abstract

BACKGROUND
It has been believed that there is a pure mucus-secreting cardiac mucosa (CM), about 2 cm in length, below the gastroesophageal junction. However, recent reports suggest that CM might not be located at the most proximal portion of the stomach. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships between the types of proximal gastric mucosa and patients' age, sex, their condition regarding the Helicobacter pylori infection, and severity of chronic gastritis.
METHODS
Two pieces of mucosal tissue from the most proximal portion of the stomach and the antrum of 44 pediatric and 85 adult patients were examined using a light microscope. A rapid urease test was performed on the other antral specimen from each patient.
RESULTS
In 46 (90.2%) out of 51 patients with aged 30 or under, only the pure acid-secreting oxyntic mucosa (OM) was present at the most proximal portion of the stomach. The cardiac or mixed oxyntocardiac mucosa (OCM) increased in prevalence with age. The CM or OCM was found more frequently in patients with H. pylori infection or severe gastritis than in those without H. pylori infection or those with mild gastritis. However, there were no statistically significant differences within the same age groups.
CONCLUSIONS
Although the OCM is sometimes present at the most proximal portion of the stomach, the CM is absent or rare in individuals under the age of 30. The OCM or CM increases in prevalence with age. There are no direct relationships between the type of proximal gastric mucosa and a patient's gender, his/her condition regarding the H. pylori infection, and severity of chronic gastritis.

• Keywords: Helicobacter pylori;Gastric mucosa;Cardia