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Uremic Gastritis: Pathophysiology and Management

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Uremic gastritis is an intra-abdominal ulcer influenced by factors such as elevated urea levels and chronic anemia.

Written by

Hemamalini. R

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Karthic Kumar

Published At March 13, 2024
Reviewed AtApril 24, 2024

Introduction

Uremic gastritis is common in chronic kidney disease (CKD), and individuals with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are characterized by gastrointestinal mucosal lesions. This article explores the causes of the condition, summarizes them, and examines factors like high urea levels, persistent anemia, and changes during hemodialysis. Understanding these factors is crucial for effective treatment, focusing on ways to ease symptoms and prevent stomach lining damage in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

What Is Uremic Gastritis?

Upper gastrointestinal symptoms appeared as enteropathy, which is called uremic gastritis. Uremia, an underlying chronic kidney disease (CKD) or end-stage renal disease (ESRD), induces such enteropathy. The uremic syndromes involve an accelerated increase in serum urea concentrations, while gastritis leads to different diseases of the gut, including gastrointestinal bleeding, anorexia, heartburn, and a late feeling of satiety after meals.

The origin and the exact mechanism that engendered the related blood disorders that cause uremic clotting are yet to be fully addressed. Nevertheless, another cause of pathogenesis is the presence of chronic uremia and anemia, which are assumed to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of uremic gastritis, alongside the effect of fluctuating blood flow in the gastrointestinal tract during hemodialysis.

How Does Uremia Affect the Gastrointestinal Mucosa?

Uremia affects the gastrointestinal mucosa by contributing to the development of mucosal lesions. Elevated levels of urea, a characteristic feature of uremia, lead to Helicobacter pylori colonization and inflammation in the stomach lining. This, combined with factors like chronic anemia and fluctuations in gastric blood supply during hemodialysis, contributes to damage in the gastrointestinal mucosa. The compromised integrity of the mucosa results in symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and can lead to more severe complications if left untreated. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for effective management and treatment of uremic gastritis.

What Is the Pathophysiology of Uremic Gastritis?

Uremic gastritis results from different factors contributing to gastrointestinal mucosal lesions. The pathophysiology of uremic gastritis includes:

  • Chronic Uremia: Elevated blood concentrations of urea in patients with uremia were associated with Helicobacter pylori colonization and gastric mucosal inflammation.

  • Anemia: Chronic anemia is another aspect contributing to the development of uremic gastritis.

  • Fluctuations in Gastric Blood Supply Throughout Hemodialysis: Changes in gastric blood supply at some point of hemodialysis can also play a role in the pathogenesis of uremic gastritis.

Additionally, proposed mechanisms for the development of uremic gastropathy encompass abnormally high blood concentrations of gastrin, leading to extended gastric acid secretion, and back-diffusion of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and pepsin into the stomach due to impaired gastric mucosal barrier characteristics. These mechanisms can result in inflammation and histamine release, similarly contributing to gastric disorders. Understanding these underlying causes is important for the powerful management and treatment of uremic gastritis in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

What Are the Causes of Uremic Gastritis?

The causes of uremic gastritis contain several factors associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and quit-degree renal disease (ESRD). Elevated degrees of urea within the blood, a not unusual characteristic of uremia, were associated with Helicobacter pylori colonization and irritation in the stomach lining, contributing to the improvement of uremic gastritis. Additionally, persistent anemia, common in CKD and ESRD sufferers, can get worse resulting in mucosal harm and gastrointestinal symptoms. Fluctuations in gastric blood supply in the course of hemodialysis periods similarly contribute to the pathogenesis of uremic gastritis. Understanding those causes is vital for powerful control and remedy strategies for people with CKD and ESRD experiencing uremic gastritis.

What Are the Signs of Uremic Gastritis?

Uremic gastritis, a situation taking place in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD), presents several signs related to gastrointestinal distress. Common symptoms of uremic gastritis encompass:

  • Nausea.

  • Vomiting.

  • Fatigue.

  • Anorexia.

  • Weight loss.

  • Abdominal pain.

  • Bloating.

  • Occult GI bleeding.

  • Uremic fetus (ammonia or urine-like scent to the breath).

These symptoms can notably affect a patient's high quality of life and require the right control to decrease complications. Additionally, patients with uremia might also experience other signs such as pruritus, altered intellectual status, and metabolic disturbances.

What Are the Risk Factors for Developing Uremic Gastritis?

Risk factors for developing uremic gastritis include elevated urea levels in the blood, chronic anemia, Helicobacter pylori colonization, and fluctuations in gastric blood supply during hemodialysis sessions, particularly in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

How Is Uremic Gastritis Treated?

The treatment of burnout in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients deals with several strategies that include symptom relief and the prevention of further damage to the mucosal membrane. The treatment options for uremic gastritis include:

  • Acid Controlling Therapies: Acid-regulating treatments are an efficient means of stomach protection from uremic syndrome. These therapies are very relevant because they control the escalation of microchaotic acid upward, minimizing damage to the mucosal membrane.

  • Enteric-Coated Formulations for Immunosuppressive Agents: Incorporating enteric-coated formulations for the administration of immunosuppressive agents might be critical for a better controlled mucosal insult and also decrease gastrointestinal problems.

  • Treatment of Helicobacter Pylori: Appropriate management of H. pylori infection among uremic gastritis patients helps to prevent aggravation of mucosal wounds and could promote accelerated recovery.

  • Timely Screening for Symptoms: The detection of uremic gastritis at an early stage is essential since it promotes the use of dietary therapy, making it possible to curtail the disease from progressing to fatal gastropathy.

  • Renal Replacement Therapy: Overall, the final cure for uremia as well as uremic gastritis is RRT (renal replacement therapy) done through hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or renal transplantation. Dialysis is the method that allows the discharging of the urea and other poisonous particles from the bloodstream, because of the insufficient functioning of the kidneys.

The symbols mentioned can aid healthcare providers in the management of uremic gastritis, and therefore, the healthcare providers can address the symptoms of these mucosal lesions in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD), ultimately improving the patient's quality of life and averting the complications associated with it.

Conclusion

In conclusion, uremic gastritis is one of the diseases that starts with the high blood level of urea in patients with chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease, with the accompanying upper GI symptoms and histopathological changes. Being knowledgeable about the causes, indications, and treatment modalities of uremic gastritis is the key to achieving good control and enhancing patients' outcomes.

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Dr. Karthic Kumar
Dr. Karthic Kumar

Nephrology

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chronic kidney diseasehemodialysis
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