Background Helicobacter-negative gastritis and duodenitis occur more often in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) than in non-IBD controls. Preliminary evidence suggests that they are particularly common among children. Aim To study the age-specific occurrence of gastritis and duodenitis among paediatric IBD patients. Methods From a computerised database of surgical pathology reports, we selected 344 IBD patients and 4241 non-IBD controls between the age 0 and 21 years, who underwent colonoscopy and oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy with biopsy results from both procedures. Results Helicobacter-negative chronic active gastritis was found in 2% of controls and 20% of IBD patients (Crohn's disease (CD) 26%, ulcerative colitis (UC) 13%). Duodenitis was found in 2% of controls and 17% of IBD patients (Crohn's disease 28%, UC 8%). Similar prevalence rates were observed in male and female patients. The most striking age-specific patterns were seen in Crohn's disease, with chronic active gastritis being highest in the 5-9 years age-group and declining in all subsequent age-groups. The age-specific rise and fall of duodenitis appeared more protracted, reaching a peak at age 10-14 years and then gradually declining. Conclusions Helicobacter-negative gastritis and duodenitis occur significantly more often in paediatric IBD patients than in non-IBD controls, as well as in adult IBD patients. Such upper gastrointestinal inflammation appears to be particularly common in patients with Crohn's disease.
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