ABSTRACT
In 40 patients with that follow or complicate portal hypertension gastropathy [PHG] and duodenopathy [PHD] of hepatic etiology, histomorphometric measurement of mucosal vascular bed area through estimation of nuclear ploidy and proliferative index of epithelial mucosal cells showed that the incidence. [PHG and PHD] were 55% and 30% respectively. These incidences were significantly higher than that of 10 non portal hypertension controls and also significantly related to the degree of oesophageal varices [grade Ill and IV] and incidence of gastropathy, but not to the Child score of liver affection. It is concluded that portal hypertension was reflected more on gastric than duodenal mucosa. PHG and PHD predisposes to gastritis and ulceration and significantly raised the proliferative activity of gastric and duodenal mucosa. Congestion, inflammation and ulceration of gastro-duodenal mucosa following portal hypertension are contributing factors enhancing mucosal proliferation