Which two categories classify acute gastritis?

Acute gastritis is primarily classified into two categories: erosive and nonerosive. Erosive gastritis refers to the type characterized by the presence of inflammation and erosion of the gastric mucosa, often resulting from factors such as the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), alcohol consumption, or severe stress. In contrast, nonerosive gastritis does not involve these erosive changes and is often linked to other causes, such as infections (e.g., Helicobacter pylori) or autoimmune responses.

This classification is essential for guiding treatment strategies and understanding the underlying causes of the condition. Recognizing whether the gastritis is erosive or nonerosive allows clinicians to tailor their management, such as reducing NSAID use in erosive cases or initiating antibiotic therapy for infectious agents in nonerosive cases.

The other classifications presented—chronic versus acute, infectious versus non-infectious, and autoimmune versus idiopathic—do exist in the broader context of gastritis but do not specifically address the distinctions relevant to acute episodes. Thus, they are not the primary categories used for classifying acute gastritis.