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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffFactors that may increase your risk of gastritis include:
- H. pylori infection. The most significant risk factor for gastritis is infection with H. pylori bacteria. Though it's thought to occur in half the world's population, H. pylori infection is most common in developing countries. Most people have no signs or symptoms of H. pylori infection.
- Regular use of aspirin or other NSAIDs. If you regularly take aspirin to prevent a heart attack or stroke, you're at risk of developing gastritis. The same is true if you take anti-inflammatory pain relievers for arthritis or another chronic condition. That's because long-term use of aspirin and other NSAIDs can cause stomach irritation and bleeding.
- Older age. Older adults have an increased risk of gastritis because the stomach lining tends to thin with age and because older adults are more likely to have H. pylori infection or autoimmune disorders than younger people are.
References
- Gastritis. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/gastritis. Accessed Feb. 23, 2009.
- Yardley JH, et al. Acute and chronic gastritis due to Helicobacter pylori. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 23, 2009.
- Yardley JH, et al. Metaplastic (chronic) atrophic gastritis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 23, 2009.
- Yardley JH, et al. Classification and diagnosis of gastritis and gastropathy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 23, 2009.
- H. Pylori and peptic ulcer. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hpylori. Accessed Feb. 23, 2009.
- Francis DL. Gastritis. In: Hauser SC, et al, eds. Mayo Clinic Gastroenterology and Hepatology Board Review. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Clinic Scientific Press; 2008:67.
- Picco MF. (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 25, 2009.
