Multiparametric assessment of vascular function and atherosclerosis in patients with autoimmune gastritis: a comparative study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Patients with autoimmune gastritis might have accelerated atherosclerosis due to autoimmunity and chronic inflammation. Endothelial dysfunction often precedes manifest atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the risk factors of early atherosclerosis by using several different techniques.
METHODS: A total of 99 patients with autoimmune gastritis were compared to 42 healthy age sex-matched subjects. Patients with a known risk factor for atherosclerosis were excluded. Intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery, pulse wave velocity and flow-mediated dilation of brachial artery were measured. Clinical data and laboratory parameters (serum gastrin, antiparietal cell antibody, anti-Hp IgG, serum vitamin B(12) and lipid profile) were also determined.
RESULTS: Intima-media thickness (mm) of the carotid artery was significantly higher in autoimmune gastritis (0.062 ± 0.031 vs. 0.042 ± 0.007, P < 0.001) than in healthy individuals. Flow-mediated dilation was significantly lower in patients with autoimmune gastritis compared to control group (13.91 ± 6.68% vs. 20.37 ± 7.80%, P = 0.021) and there was a significant increase in pulse wave velocity (m/s) in autoimmune gastritis patients compared to controls (9.25 ± 3.42 vs. 6.40 ± 0.91, P = 0.001). Antiparietal cell antibody positivity (P = 0.05), low vitamin B(12) level (P = 0.05), and age (P = 0.002) were the predictors of high pulse wave velocity (>14 m/s).
CONCLUSION: Patients with autoimmune gastritis may have an increased risk for the development of early atherosclerosis. As early preventive treatment for accelerated atherosclerosis is available, it is important to detect those patients with autoimmune gastritis who would benefit from such treatment.