ACTIVE GASTRITIS IN HELICOBACTER PYLORI ASSOCIATED PEPTIC ULCER DISEASE IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF RAWALPINDI

Abstract

Background: Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) remains a major global health problem. Data from Pakistan on the histopathological spectrum of gastritis in relation to clinical risk factors remain limited.

Objective: Evaluation of  demographic, clinical, and histopathological characteristics of patients with PUD and determine associations with active gastritis.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi, over six months from August 2024 to January 2025. Ninety-five patients with endoscopically diagnosed PUD were included through consecutive sampling. Gastric antral biopsies were obtained and examined using hematoxylin & eosin and Giemsa staining.

Results: Duodenal ulcers were most common (44.2%), followed by gastric (35.8%) and esophageal (20.0%). Active gastritis was observed in 54.7% of patients, while chronic inflammation was present in 68.4%. Active gastritis was significantly associated with male gender (72.7%, p=0.021), younger age (≤40 years: 85.0%, p<0.001), low socioeconomic status (70.0%, p=0.033), NSAID intake (78.9%, p=0.012), smoking (73.5%, p=0.018), and family history of PUD (85.7%, p=0.005).