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Gastritis

Evidence last reviewed: 16 Jul 2026
Topic last updated: 10 Jun 2026

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • presencia de factores de riesgo
  • dispepsia/malestar epigástrico
  • sin características sospechosas de neoplasia maligna
Full details

Other diagnostic factors

  • náuseas, vómitos y pérdida del apetito
  • emesis grave
  • dolor abdominal agudo
  • fiebre
  • reflejos alterados o déficits sensoriales
  • trastorno cognitivo
  • glositis
  • enfermedad autoinmune coexistente
Full details

Risk factors

  • Infección por Helicobacter pylori
  • consumo de antiinflamatorios no esteroideos (AINE)
  • consumo de alcohol/ingesta de sustancias tóxicas
  • cirugía gástrica previa
  • pacientes en estado crítico
  • enfermedad autoinmune
  • compromiso inmunológico
  • derivación venosa peritoneoyugular infectada
  • ascendencia nórdica o escandinava
Full details

Diagnostic tests

1st tests to order

  • prueba del aliento con urea para Helicobacter pylori
  • Prueba de antígeno fecal de Helicobacter pylori
  • hemograma completo (HC)
Full details

Tests to consider

  • endoscopia
  • Prueba rápida de ureasa de Helicobacter pylori
  • histología de la mucosa gástrica
  • vitamina B12 sérica
  • serie de contraste del tracto gastrointestinal superior (GI)
  • hemocultivos/cultivos de líquidos
  • anticuerpos contra las células parietales
  • anticuerpos contra factor intrínseco
Full details

Emerging tests

  • Cultivo de Helicobacter pylori/reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR)

Treatment algorithm

INITIAL

en riesgo de gastritis por estrés

ACUTE

asociado con Helicobacter pylori

erosiva

autoinmune

reflujo biliar

gastritis flemonosa

Contributors

Authors

Eli D. Ehrenpreis, MD, FACG, AGAF

Associate Director for Research

Internal Medicine Residency

Advocate Lutheran General Hospital

Park Ridge

IL

Disclosures

EDE is CEO, owner, and shareholder for E2Bio Life Sciences LLC. E2Bio Life Sciences LLC has developed Bocaliner, an FDA-registered class 1 medical device designed to enhance the efficacy of topical drugs applied to the oral cavity. EDE is the inventor and owner of patents for this device. EDE is also a CEO of G.I. Pharmaceuticals Inc., which has medical treatments for oral leukoplakia designed to prevent oral cancer, and a new drug for anal pruritus. G.I. Pharmaceuticals Inc. is involved with the development of educational programmes for students and medical trainees.

Acknowledgements

Dr Eli D. Ehrenpreis would like to gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Dr Nick Adimi, who contributed to this update. Dr Eli D. Ehrenpreis would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Nicole Marie Gentile, Dr Parakkal Deepak, and Dr Elad Eichenwald, previous contributors to this topic.

Disclosures

NA, NMG, PD, and EE declare that they have no competing interests.

Peer reviewers

Shazia Siddique, MD, MSHP

Assistant Professor of Medicine

Division of Gastroenterology

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia

PA

Disclosures

SS declares that she has no competing interests.

Anthony Axon, MB, BS, MD, FRCP

Professor and Consultant Gastroenterologist

Department of Gastroenterology

Leeds General Infirmary

Leeds

UK

Disclosures

AA is the author of studies referenced in this topic.

Peer reviewer acknowledgements

BMJ Best Practice topics are updated on a rolling basis in line with developments in evidence and guidance. The peer reviewers listed here have reviewed the content at least once during the history of the topic.

Disclosures

Peer reviewer affiliations and disclosures pertain to the time of the review.

References

Our in-house evidence and editorial teams collaborate with international expert contributors and peer reviewers to ensure that we provide access to the most clinically relevant information possible.

Key articles

Glickman JN, Antonioli DA. Gastritis. Gastrointest Endosc Clin N Am. 2001 Oct;11(4):717-40. Abstract

Chey WD, Howden CW, Moss SF, et al. ACG clinical guideline: treatment of Helicobacter pylori Infection. Am J Gastroenterol. 2024 Sep 1;119(9):1730-53.Full text  Abstract

Reference articles

A full list of sources referenced in this topic is available to users with access to all of BMJ Best Practice.
  • Differentials

    • Enfermedad ulcerosa péptica (EUP)
    • Enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico (ERGE)
    • Dispepsia no ulcerosa
    More Differentials
  • Guidelines

    • ACG clinical guideline: treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection
    • Adverse events associated with EGD and EGD-related techniques
    More Guidelines
  • Patient information

    Úlceras pépticas

    More Patient information
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