Seronegative autoimmune atrophic gastritis is more common in elderly patients
Background: Autoimmune atrophic gastritis (AAG) diagnosis is based on specific histological findings and anti-parietal cell antibodies (PCA) considered the serological hallmark of AAG, although a subgroup of AAG patients may be seronegative. Objectives: to assess the occurrence and clinical features of seronegative compared to seropositive AAG. Methods: this is a cross-sectional study including 516 consecutive adult patients (age 59.6±12.8 years, F:M=2.2:1) with histologically proven AAG diagnosed in two Italian academic referral centers over the last 10 years.