About 18% of patients with gastritis have a non-H-pylori version of the disease, according to a recent analysis conducted at a Veterans Affairs center. The study, which included patients scheduled for a esophagastroduodenoscopy or who were seen at a primary care clinic and qualified for a screening colonoscopy, generated the following results:

• Among 1,240 patients, 695 had gastritis (56%).
• H pylori­-negative gastritis was found in 123 of the 1,250 patients (9.9%).
• 123 patients existed among the 695 patients with gastritis (17.7%).
• Non-Hispanic white patients were far more likely to have H-pylori­ negative gastritis than African Americans.
• Patients taking proton pump inhibitors were also more likely to have H pylori negative disease when compared to non-users.