# Clinical, Endoscopic and Histologic Differences in Gastric Mucosa Between Younger and Older Adults: An Observational Study on the Aging Stomach

## TL;DR

This study finds that older adults show more gastric lesions and histological changes compared to younger adults, suggesting an 'aging stomach' phenomenon.

## Contribution

The study identifies age-related gastric changes independent of H. pylori, supporting the concept of an aging stomach phenotype.

## Key findings

- Older adults had more gastric lesions (80% vs. 50%) and chronic gastritis (56% vs. 38%) compared to younger adults.
- Chronic atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia were significantly more common in older adults (28% vs. 4%).
- Age-related changes persisted even after adjusting for H. pylori status and proton pump inhibitor use.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: Age-related changes in the gastric mucosa remain incompletely understood. We aimed to assess and compare clinical, endoscopic and histologic changes in the gastric mucosa associated with aging, and to explore whether gastric aging is associated with a distinct histological pattern. Methods: Single-center observational study. Younger (18–45 years) and older (≥70 years) adults undergoing elective upper endoscopy were included and underwent gastric biopsies. The clinical, endoscopic and histologic features were analyzed and compared. Results: A total of 100 patients were included (45 men/55 women), 50 with 18–45 years and 50 with ≥70 years. Dyspepsia, gastro-esophageal reflux disease and peptic ulcer disease were the most common indications for upper endoscopy. Gastric lesions (erythema, erosions, ulceration and polyps) were more common in older patients (80% vs. 50%, p = 0.003), as well as histologic changes such as chronic gastritis (56% vs. 38%, p = 0.004), chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG; 28% vs. 4%, p < 0.001) and intestinal metaplasia (28% vs. 4%, p < 0.001). These findings persisted after adjusting for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) status and proton pump inhibitor intake on the multivariate analysis. Prevalence of H. pylori was similar between both groups (28% vs. 32%, p = 0.189). Conclusions: Aging is associated with clinical, endoscopic and histologic changes in the gastric mucosa including CAG and metaplasia, independent of the presence of H. pylori. These findings may result from several aging-related pathophysiological processes and decades of cumulative gastric injury and support the hypothesis of an aging stomach phenotype, underscoring the need for an age-adjusted interpretation of gastric biopsies.