Abstract
The morphology and dynamics of the gastric mucosa were examined in 130 patients with gastric mucosal erosions by using mathematical methods based on stochastic principles. The results were compared with those of controls representative of the general population. The progression of antral gastritis was less rapid in erosion patients than in the controls (p < 0.001), but body gastritis increased with age, as expected. In patients with prepyloric erosions body gastritis showed less rapid progression with age than in the controls (p < 0.01) or in other erosion patients (p < 0.05). Antral gastritis increased, as in the controls, and more rapidly than in other erosion patients (p < 0.01). The preservation of the body mucosa in patients with prepyloric erosions despite ageing is similar to that seen in patients with duodenal ulcer disease, suggesting a common acid-related pathogenesis.