Inflammation and intestinal metaplasia at the squamocolumnar junction in young patients with or without Helicobacter pylori infection

BACKGROUND: Intestinal metaplasia (IM) in the oesophagus is a known risk factor for adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus. The incidence of adenocarcinoma of the cardia and oesophagus has increased in Western countries simultaneously with a decrease in Helicobacter pylori prevalence. AIMS: To determine the association of H pylori infection with inflammation and IM at the squamocolumnar junction (SCJ) in young individuals. PATIENTS: A total of 168 (121 women; 72%) consecutive outpatients,