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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffExperts aren't sure why fundic gland stomach polyps develop. However, several problems can cause the gastritis that contributes to hyperplastic polyps and adenomas.
H. pylori
The most common cause of chronic gastritis is infection by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria, which can also cause ulcers. About 20 percent of American adults under age 40, and 50 percent of those over age 60 carry these bacteria in their stomachs. Although H. pylori doesn't always cause problems, it can infect and inflame the stomach lining. The resulting damage can set the stage for polyps. One study found H. pylori in 40 percent of people diagnosed with hyperplastic gastric polyps.
Autoimmune response
Another cause of chronic gastritis is an autoimmune reaction, in which your body forms antibodies that attack cells in the stomach and a protein needed for absorbing vitamin B-12. This process may cause vitamin B-12 deficiency anemia in many people with stomach polyps. Anemia is a condition in which you don't have enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to tissues.
