National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Collagenous gastritis


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Collagenous gastritis (CG) is a rare condition that primarily affects the digestive system. People with CG have increased buildup of collagen in the subepithelial layer of the stomach.[1][2] This condition typically affects children and young adults up to 22 years, or older adults over 35 years of age. Signs and symptoms appear to vary depending on the age group. Initial symptoms in children and young adults often include anemia and abdominal pain, whereas older adults often have chronic watery diarrhea associated with collagenous colitis, celiac disease or both.[1][3] Adult collagenous gastritis is also associated with autoimmune diseases such as Sjögren syndrome, lymphocytic gastritis, lymphocytic colitis, and ulcerative colitis.[3] Other signs and symptoms of CG may include nausea and vomiting, weight loss, abdominal distention, and gastrointestinal bleeding.[3] The cause of the condition is unclear.[1] Because of the small number of cases, no standard therapy for CG has been established based on randomized, controlled clinical trials.[3]
Last updated: 9/6/2018
Because collagenous gastritis is very rare and its cause is unknown, there is currently no established standard therapy for the condition. Various therapies have been attempted with limited success. These have included anti-secretary agents, steroids, iron supplementation, and hypoallergenic diets. Several other therapies have also been tested. A few affected people have shown improvement of symptoms, but no randomized, controlled trials have been performed. More studies are needed to establish a standard treatment strategy.[3]
Last updated: 9/6/2018
The course and long-term outlook (prognosis) for people with collagenous gastritis (CG) is unclear. There has not yet been a comprehensive review of outcomes, and large variations in the course of the disease have been reported.[4][5]

In the majority of adults, the condition seems to follow a chronic, intermittent course, with no significant mortality risk or severe progression. Diarrhea may resolve with or without treatment, although relapses may occur.[6] In children, a less controllable course has been suspected.[6] However, CG in children seems to follow a generally benign course, with limited long-term morbidity and no increased mortality reported to date.[4] A few reports have documented that the abnormal collagen band in affected people persists (with or without medication) despite symptoms improving.[6]
Last updated: 4/28/2015

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These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

In-Depth Information

  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Collagenous gastritis. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

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  • Does the condition eventually go away? See answer

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  1. Brain O, Rajaguru C, Warren B, Booth J, Travis S. Collagenous gastritis: reports and systematic review. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. December 2009; 21(12):1419-1424. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19730387.
  2. Kori M, Cohen S, Levine A, Givony S, Sokolovskaia-Ziv N, Melzer E, Granot E. Collagenous gastritis: a rare cause of abdominal pain and iron-deficiency anemia. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. November 2007; 45(5):603-606. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18030241.
  3. Kamimura K, Kobayashi M, Sato Y, Aoyagi Y, Terai S. Collagenous gastritis: Review. World J Gastrointest Endosc. March 16, 2015; 7(3):265-273. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4360446/.
  4. Hijaz NM, Septer SS, Degaetano J, Attard TM. Clinical outcome of pediatric collagenous gastritis: case series and review of literature. World J Gastroenterol. March 7, 2013; 19(9):1478-1484. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3602509/.
  5. Ma C, et. al. A Comparative Clinicopathologic Study of Collagenous Gastritis in Children and Adults: The Same Disorder With Associated Immune-mediated Diseases. Am J Surg Pathol. 2015 Jun; 39(6):802-12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=25871617.
  6. Rohan Mandaliya, Anthony J. DiMarino, Sheeja Abraham, Ashlie Burkart, Sidney Cohen. Collagenous Gastritis a Rare Disorder in Search of a Disease. Gastroenterology Research. 2013; 6(4):139-144. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5074812/.