INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to evaluate the difference in macroscopicpicture of the stomach in patients with food allergy and in non-atopic patients with H. pylori infection.MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the study, patients with atopic diathesis, suffering from dyspepsia or abdominalpain were analysed. The study group included 72 women aged 16-57 years (mean age 36.5 years) and 38 menaged 16 and 60 years (mean age 34.4 years). Control group was formed of 40 patients without atopy (13men and 27 women, aged 18-56 years--mean age 34.8 years), with endoscopically and histologically confirmedgastritis. All the patients underwent endoscopy of upper gastrointestinal tract with the use of fiberoscopeGIF-E OLYMPUS and video endoscopy monitor OEV 203 OLYMPUS (Japan). The following features of gastritiswere considered in endoscopic assessment: oedema, reddening and fragility of mucous membrane, spottedand macular exudate, flat and raised erosions, proliferation and atrophy of mucosal folds, vascular network,intramural extravasation, mucosal structure. The results obtained were verified statistically with chi-squaredindependence tests for 2 x 2 tables. CONCLUSIONS: Statistical analysis of the incidence of these signsof inflammation in patients with food allergy did not show significant differences in relation to subjectswith non-atopic gastritis.

Keywords: Adolescent, Case-Control Studies, Chronic Disease, Comparative Study, Food Hypersensitivity, Gastric Mucosa, gastritis, Gastroscopy