Endoscopic findings for predicting gastric acid secretion status

Chinese herbal compound prescriptions combined with Chinese medicine powder based on traditional Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation for treatment of chronic atrophic gastritis with erosion: a multi-center, randomized, positive-controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND

In this study, Chinese herbal compound prescriptions combined with Chinese medicine powder were evaluated for the treatment of chronic atrophic gastritis with erosion.

METHODS

This multi-center, randomized, positive drug control clinical trial randomly assigned 216 patients with chronic atrophic gastritis with erosion to three groups: (1) control group: aluminum plus magnesium suspension thrice per day for 4 weeks; (2) test group 1: Chinese herbal compound prescriptions twice a day plus Sanqi (Panax notoginseng) powder twice a day for 4 weeks; (3) test group 2: Chinese herbal compound prescriptions twice a day plus Sanqi (Panax notoginseng) powder and Zhebeimu (Fritillaria thunbergii Miq.) powder twice a day for 4 weeks. The primary endpoint (improvement of gastric mucosal erosion; improvement of gastric mucosal pathology) and secondary endpoints (improvement of clinical symptoms scores; improvement of the patient-reported outcome [PRO] instrument for chronic gastrointestinal diseases) were assessed using endoscopy at week 4 following the treatment. Drug-related adverse events (AEs) and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were also compared.

RESULTS

The final analysis included 202 patients (control group, 63; test group 1, 69; test group 2, 70). At week 4, using within-group comparison, gastric mucosal erosion improved in each group following treatment with a significant difference (P < 0.05); there were no statistically significant differences in gastric mucosal erosion scores among the groups after treatment (P > 0.05); in terms of improvement of gastric mucosal erosion, the efficacy rate of the control group was 69.12%, the efficacy rate of the test group 1 was 73.24%, and the efficacy rate of the test group 2 was 69.01% and efficacy rate among the groups was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). As determined by acute inflammation, chronic inflammation, atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, and dysplasia, the pathological score (total score and the highest score) did not differ statistically among groups following treatment (P > 0.05); within the control group, the total scores of acute inflammation, chronic inflammation, atrophy, and intestinal metaplasia were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), but there was no significant improvement in dysplasia (P > 0.05); in the test group 1, chronic inflammation, atrophy, and intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia scores were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), but acute inflammation did not improve (P > 0.05); there was a significant reduction in the atrophy score in test group 2 (P < 0.05), but no improvement in the scores of acute inflammation, chronic inflammation, intestinal metaplasia, and dysplasia was observed (P > 0.05). Similarly, within the control group, the highest scores of acute inflammation, chronic inflammation, atrophy, and intestinal metaplasia were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), but there was no significant improvement in dysplasia (P > 0.05); there was a significant reduction in highest scores of atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, and dysplasia (P < 0.05) in test group 1, but the highest scores didn't not improve with acute inflammation and chronic inflammation (P > 0.05); there was a significant reduction in the highest atrophy score in test group 2 (P < 0.05), but no improvement in the highest scores of acute inflammation, chronic inflammation, intestinal metaplasia, and dysplasia was observed (P > 0.05). Compared to the control group, the main symptom scores and total symptom scores in the test groups were lower following treatment, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05); the analysis of covariance with center, erosion type, and group as factors was applied, and the comparison among the groups in dyspepsia, defecation, and total PRO instrument scores were statistically significant (P < 0.05). In the study period, AEs were reported in 3 (4.23%) patients in the test group 1 and 3 (4.41%) patients in the control group; ADRs were confirmed in 3 (4.23%) patients from the test group 1 and 2 (2.94%) from the control group. AEs and ADRs were not statistically significantly different among groups (AE, P = 0.2213; ADR, P = 0.2872). No serious AE or ADR was reported.

CONCLUSIONS

This study has shown that both aluminum plus magnesium suspension and Chinese herbal compound prescriptions together with Panax notoginseng powder are capable of improving gastric mucosal erosion and reducing gastric mucosal pathological scores, and there were no statistically significant differences among the groups in primary endpoints, indicating that Chinese herbal therapy can achieve similar efficacy than antacids in terms of primary outcomes. The aluminum plus magnesium suspension is comparable to Chinese herbal therapy in improving atrophy and intestinal metaplasia, and is inferior to Chinese herbal therapy in improving dysplasia. In addition, the Chinese herbal therapy significantly outperforms the aluminum plus magnesium suspension in improving symptoms. Therefore, the overall clinical outcome of Chinese herbal compound prescriptions together with Panax notoginseng powder based on TCM syndrome patterns in the treatment of erosive gastritis is superior to that of antacids. Trial registration ChiCTR, ChiCTR-IPR-15005905. Registered 22 January 2015, https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=10359.

Diverse contributions of the visceral fat area to the etiology of two distinct subtypes of esophago-gastric junctional adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

There are two distinct etiologies of esophago-gastric junctional adenocarcinomas (EGJACs): one associated with extensive gastric mucosal atrophy (GA), resembling non-cardiac gastric cancers; and the other related to gastro-esophageal reflux disease, resembling esophageal adenocarcinoma. In this study, we investigated the associations between the visceral fat area (VFA) and EGJACs separately in the two subtypes of EGJACs, depending on the extent of background GA.

METHODS

Sixty-four consecutive patients with EGJACs (Siewert type 2) were enrolled from a population-based database in Akita Prefecture, Japan, between 2014 and 2019. Two age- and sex-matched healthy controls were randomly assigned to each EGJAC case. The extents of GA were evaluated endoscopically, and the VFA values were measured based on computed tomography images. Logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the associations between EGJACs and the VFA.

RESULTS

Study subjects were classified into 2 subgroups depending on the extent of endoscopic GA: 29 (45.3%) without and 35 (54.7%) with extensive GA. Multivariable regression analyses revealed that a VFA of ≥100 cm² was significantly associated with EGJACs in subjects without extensive GA [odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 2.65 (1.08-6.54)], while there was no such association in subjects with extensive GA [odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 1.52 (0.60-3.83)].

CONCLUSIONS

The contribution of the VFA to the etiology of EGJACs seems to differ depending on the extent of background GA, with the VFA more prominently associated with EGJACs in subjects without extensive GA than in those with it, providing further rationale concerning the heterogeneous nature of EGJAC etiology.

Comparative Study of Helicobacter pylori-Infected Gastritis in Okinawa and Tokyo Based on the Kyoto Classification of Gastritis

The incidence of gastric cancer in Okinawa Prefecture is the lowest in Japan, which is attributed to differences in strains of Helicobacter pylori in Okinawa and other prefectures in Japan. Our aim was to compare the endoscopic findings of H. pylori-infected gastric mucosa in Okinawa and Tokyo. Patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGI) at Northern Okinawa Medical Center (Okinawa group) and Juntendo University Hospital (Tokyo group) from April 2019 to March 2020 were included. Patients diagnosed with H. pylori-infected gastric mucosa were retrospectively compared between the Okinawa and Tokyo groups according to the Kyoto Classification of Gastritis. The numbers of subjects (Okinawa/Tokyo) were 435/352, male/female ratio was 247:188/181:171, and age was 53.3 ± 14.7/64.6 ± 14.3 (mean ± standard deviation) years. Regarding the Kyoto Classification of Gastritis, the prevalence (Okinawa/Tokyo) of the closed type of atrophic gastritis was 73%/37% (p < 0.001), diffuse redness 80%/84% (p = 0.145), mucosal swelling 46%/46% (p = 0.991), enlarged fold 26%/32% (p = 0.048), spotty redness 77%/68% (p = 0.002), sticky mucus 17%/36% (p < 0.001), and intestinal metaplasia 32%/42% (p < 0.001). Age analysis also revealed that closed-type atrophy and spotty redness were more frequent in the Okinawa group than in the Tokyo group. There may be regional differences in endoscopic findings of H. pylori-infected gastric mucosa between Okinawa and Tokyo.

Parietal Cell Dysfunction: A Rare Cause of Gastric Neuroendocrine Neoplasm with Achlorhydria and Extreme Hypergastrinemia

A 69-year-old woman with multiple neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) was referred to our hospital. Although she had extreme hypergastrinemia (11,675 pg/mL), no findings that indicated types I to III gastric NENs were found. Although gastric corpus atrophy was suspected on conventional white-light imaging, findings on magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging indicated no severe atrophy. A biopsy from the background fundic gland mucosa revealed no atrophic changes, parietal cells with vacuolated cytoplasm and negative findings for H⁺K⁺-ATPase. Thus, this case was diagnosed as multiple NENs with parietal cell dysfunction. Neither progression nor metastasis has been confirmed during two-year follow-up.

Changes in the gut microbiome in relation to the degree of gastric mucosal atrophy before and after Helicobacter pylori eradication

OBJECTIVES

Helicobacter pylori infection causes atrophic gastritis, which affects the gut microbiome; the gastric acid concentration depends on the degree of atrophic gastritis. Helicobacter pylori eradication also affects gastric acidity. Here, we determined the differences in the post-eradication changes in the gut microbiome in relation to the progression of gastric atrophy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ten patients were included in the closed group and five in the open group, consisting of patients with non-progressive and progressive atrophy, respectively, diagnosed by endoscopy. The faecal microbiome was analysed and compared among three time-points: before eradication, 8 weeks after eradication, and 6 months after eradication. The microbiome was analysed by targeting 16S rRNA using Illumina Miseq.

RESULTS

The relative abundance of 14 genera significantly differed between the closed and open groups before eradication, but only 12 and 6 genera presented a significant difference in the relative abundance at 8 weeks and 6 months after eradication, respectively. Of the 12 genera that differed between the closed and open groups before eradication, 8 genera, namely, Actinomyces, Aggregatibacter, Campylobacter, Granulicatella, Pyramidobacter, Streptococcus, Cardiobacterium, and Haemophilus, were oral-origin bacteria. Longitudinal changes showed that Haemophilus and Catenibacterium were consistently significantly more abundant in the open group than in the closed group during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

The gut microbiome substantially differed depending on the progression of gastric atrophy, but this difference was decreased by eradication, especially the differences in the number of oral bacteria in the gut. Eradication therapy may improve dysbiosis that result from gastric atrophy.

Association between dyspeptic symptoms and endoscopic findings based on the Kyoto classification of gastritis in Japanese male

The Kyoto gastritis classification is used to categorize the endoscopic characteristics of Helicobacter pylori infection-associated gastritis. We aimed to clarify the association among endoscopic findings and abdominal dyspeptic symptoms in Japanese male. We administered a questionnaire to 418 subjects who underwent endoscopy as part of a health check-up from August 2003 to April 2004 to investigate the association among endoscopic findings of the Kyoto classification and the presence of dyspeptic symptoms. Logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate risk based on dyspeptic symptoms. Among 418 health check-up subjects, 21.3% (89/418) reported dyspeptic symptoms in the questionnaire. The incidence of fundic gland polyp among patients with dyspeptic symptoms was 12.4% (11/89), which was significantly higher than that among non-symptomatic subjects (4.3%, 14/329, p = 0.004). Logistic regression analyses showed that fundic gland polyp was a risk factor for dyspeptic symptoms [odds ratio (OR): 3.413, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.430–8.142], while short-segment Barrett’s esophagus and male sex were protective factors (OR: 0.569, 95% CI: 0.349–0.928 and OR: 0.333, 95% CI: 0.117–0.948, respectively). In conclusion, Endoscopic findings of fundic gland polyp may be associated with dyspeptic symptoms, which in turn may be a useful marker of gastric condition.

In situ Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori Infection Using the Endoscopic Kyoto Scoring System

Background/Aims: This study aimed to investigate the possibility of in situ diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection during endoscopic examination. The predictive infection value was estimated using the endoscopic Kyoto scoring system (EKSS), and specific endoscopic findings were evaluated for diagnosing H. pylori infection in H. pylori naïve patients and those with a eradication history.Materials and Methods: A total of 836 patients with H. pylori infection were analyzed. The state of the infection was predicted using the EKSS and specific endoscopic findings.Results: Patients were classified into two groups: the H. pylori naïve group and the group with a the bacterial eradication history. The area under the curve (AUC) on receiver operating characteristics analysis was 0.90 for EKSS in H. pylori naïve patients and 0.83 for the other group patients. For patients with open type atrophy and/or intestinal metaplasia, EKSS (24.4%; 95% CI, 12.4~0.3%) and regular arrangement of collecting venules (RAC) (46.3%; 95% CI, 30.7~62.9%) showed low specificities. Mucosal swelling (66.2%; 95% CI, 62.5~69.7%) and sticky mucus (80.5%; 95% CI, 74.8~85.2%) presented relatively high positive predictive values for H. pylori infection in naïve patients, whereas reflux esophagitis, hematin, red streak, and duodenitis exhibited high negative predictive values in patients with a H. pylori eradication history (98.0%; 95% CI, 96.4~99.1%).Conclusions: EKSS and RAC are excellent tools for predicting H. pylori infection. However, they have a limited role in patients with open type atrophy and/or intestinal metaplasia. Specific endoscopic findings could help predict the infection state.

Gastrinoma and Zollinger Ellison syndrome: A roadmap for the management between new and old therapies

Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) associated with pancreatic or duodenal gastrinoma is characterized by gastric acid hypersecretion, which typically leads to gastroesophageal reflux disease, recurrent peptic ulcers, and chronic diarrhea. As symptoms of ZES are nonspecific and overlap with other gastrointestinal disorders, the diagnosis is often delayed with an average time between the onset of symptoms and final diagnosis longer than 5 years. The critical step for the diagnosis of ZES is represented by the initial clinical suspicion. Hypergastrinemia is the hallmark of ZES; however, hypergastrinemia might recognize several causes, which should be ruled out in order to make a final diagnosis. Gastrin levels > 1000 pg/mL and a gastric pH below 2 are considered to be diagnostic for gastrinoma; some specific tests, including esophageal pH-recording and secretin test, might be useful in selected cases, although they are not widely available. Endoscopic ultrasound is very useful for the diagnosis and the local staging of the primary tumor in patients with ZES, particularly in the setting of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1. Some controversies about the management of these tumors also exist. For the localized stage, the combination of proton pump inhibitory therapy, which usually resolves symptoms, and surgery, whenever feasible, with curative intent represents the hallmark of gastrinoma treatment. The high expression of somatostatin receptors in gastrinomas makes them highly responsive to somatostatin analogs, supporting their use as anti-proliferative agents in patients not amenable to surgical cure. Other medical options for advanced disease are super-imposable to other neuroendocrine neoplasms, and studies specifically focused on gastrinomas only are scant and often limited to case reports or small retrospective series. The multidisciplinary approach remains the cornerstone for the proper management of this composite disease. Herein, we reviewed available literature about gastrinoma-associated ZES with a specific focus on differential diagnosis, providing potential diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms.

Acute abdominal pain caused by accidental ingestion of Latoia species larva: a case report

We report the clinical and endoscopic manifestations in a patient with acute abdominal pain caused by the accidental ingestion of a Latoia consocia (Walker) larva. Clinical data including the patient’s medical history, and the results of physical examination, laboratory tests, and gastroscopy were collected. Based on this rare case, we discuss the clinical characteristics and manifestations, diagnostic methods, and principles of this disease.

Influence of gastroesophageal flap valve on esophageal variceal bleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis

OBJECTIVES

Esophageal variceal bleeding can be fatal in patients with liver cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between gastroesophageal flap valve (GEFV) and esophageal variceal bleeding.

METHODS

Subjects were cirrhotic patients with endoscopically diagnosed esophageal varices treated at our hospital between 2005 and 2019, excluding those with F3 form and red color (RC) signs at first endoscopy. Sixty-five patients with normal GEFV (Hill grade I or II) and 42 with abnormal GEFV (Hill grade III or IV) were enrolled. Propensity score matching eliminated the baseline differences, resulting in a sample size of 30 patients per cohort. The primary endpoint was esophageal variceal bleeding, and the secondary endpoint was variceal bleeding or appearance of RC sign. We analyzed the cumulative incidences and predictors of each endpoint.

RESULTS

The 3-, 5-, and 10-year cumulative incidences of the primary endpoints were all 3.4% in the normal GEFV group, and 19.0%, 24.6% and 34.0% in the abnormal GEFV group, respectively (log-rank P = 0.011). Cumulative incidence of the secondary endpoint was 13.8%, 33.1% and 39.2% in the normal GEFV group, and 42.2%, 54.6% and 84.9% in the abnormal GEFV group, respectively (log-rank P = 0.001). In multivariate Cox regression analyses, hazard ratios of abnormal GEFV of the primary and secondary endpoints were 12.79 (95% confidence interval 1.331-122.8) and 3.600 (1.653-7.840), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Abnormal GEFV was an independent risk factor for esophageal variceal bleeding and appearance of RC sign.

Verrucous antral gastritis in relation to Helicobacter pylori infection, nutrition, and gastric atrophy

Background

There have been few studies in the English literature regarding verrucous gastritis (VG). The present study investigated the clinical and endoscopic features of verrucous antral gastritis, especially focusing on Helicobacter pylori infection, nutrition, and gastric atrophy.

Methods

We performed a retrospective study of patients who underwent routine endoscopy with indigo carmine chromoendoscopy and a comparative study was conducted between VG-positive and VG-negative groups. VG was subdivided into classical and numerous types based on the number and distribution of verrucous lesions. Demographic, clinical, and endoscopic data including body mass index (BMI), serum albumin and cholesterol, gastric atrophy, reflux oesophagitis, Barrett's oesophagus, and H. pylori status were collected. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to identify factors associated with VG.

Results

We analysed the data of 621 patients undergoing routine endoscopy and found that VG (n = 352) was significantly associated with increased BMI (1.12 [1.05-1.18], P < 0.01), reflux esophagitis (1.96 [1.10-3.28], P < 0.01), and H. pylori negativity with or without a history of eradication (9.94 [6.00-16.47] and 6.12 [3.51-10.68], P < 0.001, respectively). Numerous-type (n = 163) VG was associated with both closed- and open-type gastric atrophy (9.9 [4.04-21.37] and 8.10 [3.41-19.24], P < 0.001, respectively). There were no statistical differences between groups regarding age, sex, total cholesterol, albumin, and bile-colored gastric juice.

Conclusions

Verrucous antral gastritis was related to increased BMI, reflux esophagitis, and H. pylori negativity. Numerous-type verrucous lesions were associated with gastric atrophy. These indicate that VG may be a physiological phenomenon due to high gastric acidity, mechanical overload, and vulnerability of background mucosa.

Diagnostic accuracy of a pH stick, modified to detect gastric lipase, to confirm the correct placement of nasogastric tubes

Objective

The correct placement of a nasogastric feeding tube is usually confirmed by establishing that an aspirate is acidic using a pH stick. However, antacid medication and achlorhydria can cause false negative pH tests that may delay feeding and increase resource use. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a modified pH stick designed to detect gastric lipase and therefore reduce false negative tests.

Methods

In this prospective observational study, a convenience sample of adult patients who had either gastric and oesophageal samples taken during routine diagnostic gastroscopy (n=97) or bronchial and saliva samples taken during a bronchoscopy (n=106). The samples were tested by blinded observers using the modified and standard pH sticks. The sensitivities and specificities of the two pH sticks in identifying gastric and non-gastric aspirates were compared using the pH cut-off ≤5.5.

Results

The sensitivities of a pH≤5.5 to correctly identify gastric samples were 66% (95% CI 56 to 75) and 68% (95% CI 57 to 77) for the modified and the standard pH, respectively. The specificities were 81% (95% CI 76 to 85) and 79% (95% CI 74 to 84). There were no significant differences in the distribution of the discordant results between the paired gastric and non-gastric samples for both the modified and standard pH sticks at pH≤5.5 (both McNemar’s tests, p≥0.05).

Conclusions

There were no significant differences between the paired modified and standard pH tests for the gastric samples. Due to the limited accuracy of pH sticks, further research is required to identify accurate and cost-effective bedside methods to confirm the correct placement of nasogastric tubes.

Study to determine the likely accuracy of pH testing to confirm nasogastric tube placement

Objective

To establish the likely accuracy of pH testing to identify gastric aspirates at different pH cut-offs to confirm nasogastric tube placement.

Methods

This prospective observational study included a convenience sample of adult patients who had two (one fresh and one frozen) gastric and oesophageal samples taken during gastroscopy or two bronchial and saliva samples taken during bronchoscopy. The degree of observer agreement for the pH of fresh and frozen samples was indicted by kappa (k) statistics. The sensitivities and specificities at pH ≤5.5 and the area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve at different pH cut-offs were calculated to identify gastric and non-gastric aspirates.

Results

Ninety-seven patients had a gastroscopy, 106 a bronchoscopy. There was complete agreement between observers in 57/92 (62%) of the paired fresh and frozen gastric samples (k=0.496, 95% CI 0.364 to 0.627). The sensitivity of a pH ≤5.5 to correctly identify gastric samples was 68% (95% CI 57 to 77) and the specificity was 79% (95% CI 74 to 84). The overall accuracy to correctly classify samples was between 76% and 77%, regardless of whether patients were taking antacids or not. The area under the ROC curve at different pH cut-offs was 0.74.

Conclusion

The diagnostic accuracy of pH ≤5.5 to differentiate gastric from non-gastric samples was low, regardless of whether patients were taking antacids or not. Due to the limited accuracy of the pH sticks and the operators’ ability to differentiate colorimetric results, there is an urgent need to identify more accurate and safer methods to confirm correct placement of nasogastric tubes.

Assessment of Gastric Acidity by Conventional Endoscopy With Serological Gastric Markers

Background

Gastric acidity could determine Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-associated gastritis patterns. In reverse, H. pylori infection could lead disturbance in gastric acid secretion. We attempted to elucidate gastric acid status by conventional endoscopy with pepsinogen test.

Methods

A total of 196 subjects who visited our health promotion center were consecutively enrolled and evaluated by conventional endoscopy, and blood examinations with pepsinogen I, II, and fasting serum gastrin were conducted. As a Japanese study suggested that in H. pylori-positive subjects the cutoff value was PG I/II ratio ≤ 2.7 for hypochlorhydia, PG I/II ratio ≥ 3.3 for hyperchlorhydria. Based on these serological data, we compared conventional endoscopic images with each acid level.

Results

It showed that for hypoacidity, older age, and most of the H. pylori-associated endoscopic appearances featuring mucosal inflammation and more atrophy of corpus or antrum were in favor of hypoacidity in closed type. Mucosal appearances showing severe corpus atrophy and remnant gastritis with advanced background atrophy determine hypoacidity in open type. For hyperacidity, mucosal appearances featuring intact mucosa and less severe atrophy were associated with hyperacid status. Male gender, antrum camouflage were also involved in hyperacidity.

Conclusions

Conventional endoscopy with pepsinogen test could be useful in gastric acid assessment.

Catching the Zebra: Clinical Pearls and Pitfalls for the Successful Diagnosis of Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome

Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) results from an ectopic gastrin-secreting tumor leading to peptic ulcer disease, reflux, and chronic diarrhea. While early recognition portends an excellent prognosis with >80% survival at 15 years, symptoms are often nonspecific making the diagnosis difficult to establish. Diagnosis involves a series of tests, including fasting gastrin, gastric pH, chromogranin A, and secretin stimulation. Performing these tests in the correct sequence and at the proper time is essential to avoid inaccurate results. Tumor localization is equally nuanced. Although providers have classically used ¹¹¹indium-radiolabeled octreotide with somatostatin receptor scintigraphy to evaluate tumor size and metastases, recent studies have shown superior results with newer imaging modalities. In particular, ⁶⁸gallium (⁶⁸Ga)-labeled somatostatin radiotracers (i.e., ⁶⁸Ga-DOTATOC, ⁶⁸Ga-DOTANOC and ⁶⁸Ga-DOTATATE) used with positron emission tomography/computed tomography can provide excellent results. Endoscopic ultrasound is another useful modality, particularly in patients with ZES in the setting of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1. This review aims to provide clinicians with an overview of ZES with a focus on both clinical presentation and the proper utilization of the various biochemical and imaging tests available.

Endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy distinguishes the characteristics of superficial esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Western studies have suggested two distinct etiologies of esophagogastric junction (EGJ) cancer: Helicobacter pylori-associated atrophic gastritis and non-atrophic gastric mucosa resembling esophageal adenocarcinoma. The present study investigated whether endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy can distinguish between these two types of EGJ adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

Data were collected from patients with Siewert type II, T1 EGJ adenocarcinoma who underwent endoscopic or surgical resection at eight Japanese institutions in 2010-2015. Clinicopathological characteristics of EGJ cancers with and without endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy were compared. EGJ was defined as the lower end of the palisade vein and/or the top of the gastric folds.

RESULTS

Of the 229 patients identified, 161 had endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy and 68 did not. The latter group was younger (64 vs 70 years, P = 0.000); had a higher proportion of patients negative for H. pylori (90% vs 47%, P < 0.0001); and had higher rates of gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms (43% vs 12%, P = 0.017), mucosal breaks (25% vs 15%, P = 0.009), Barrett's esophagus (BE, 78% vs 42%, P < 0.0001), and tumors above the EGJ (81% vs 19%, P < 0.0001) and on the upper-right side (74% vs 38%, P < 0.0001) than the former group. Multivariate analysis showed that H. pylori positivity (odds ratio [OR] = 13.0, P < 0.001), long-segment BE (OR = 0.025, P = 0.033), and longitudinal (OR = 8.6, P = 0.001) and circumferential (OR = 4.7, P = 0.006) tumor locations were independently associated with gastric mucosal atrophy.

CONCLUSION

Two distinct types of EGJ cancer were identified, with and without endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy. These types were associated with different tumor locations.

Geographic differences in low-dose aspirin-associated gastroduodenal mucosal injury

Aspirin, even at low doses, has been known to cause upper gastro-intestinal complications, such as gastroduodenal ulcers, despite the definite benefits from its antithrombotic effects. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is major pathogen responsible for gastroduodenal ulcer formation. There have been conflicting results about the potential interaction between these two ulcerogenic factors and the geographic areas involved. In Western countries, the prevalence of gastroduodenal ulcers is consistently higher in H. pylori-positive low-dose aspirin (LDA) users than in H. pylori-negative ones, suggesting that H. pylori infection exacerbates LDA-induced gastroduodenal mucosal injury in these geographic areas. Meanwhile, previous studies from Japan have generally reported a similar prevalence of LDA-induced gastroduodenal mucosal injury regardless of the presence of H. pylori infection, indicating that the infection is not an overall exacerbating factor for drug-induced injury. H. pylori infection could have a synergistic or antagonistic interaction with LDA use in adverse gastroduodenal events depending on gastric acid secretion. It is well-recognized that the net effect of H. pylori infection on gastric acid secretion shows considerable geographic variation at the population level. While gastric acid secretion levels were not decreased and were well-preserved in most patients with H. pylori infection from Western countries, the majority of Japanese patients with H. pylori infection exhibited decreased gastric acid secretion. Such large geographic differences in the net effect of H. pylori infection on gastric acid secretion could be at least partly responsible for the geographically distinct interaction between LDA use and H. pylori infection on adverse gastroduodenal lesions.