The prevalence and significance of gastritis in patients with lower intestinal irritable bowel (irritable colon) syndrome.

Histological gastritis was present in nearly two-thirds of consecutive patients with lower intestinal irritable bowel (irritable colon) syndrome. The presence of gastritis had no relationship to upper intestinal symptoms; we believe that upper intestinal symptoms in these patients are therefore unlikely to be due to coexistent gastritis. Abnormal pyloroduodenal motility with consequent abnormal bile reflux or clearance may account for gastritis in patients with irritable colon. This study, admittedly uncontrolled, provides further indirect evidence to support the concept of a widespread neuromuscular abnormality throughout the gastrointestinal tract in irritable bowel syndrome patients who have predominantly colonic symptoms.