Gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms

Gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms (gNENs) display peculiar site-specific features among all NENs. Their incidence and prevalence have been rising in the past few decades. gNENs comprise gastric neuroendocrine carcinomas (gNECs) and gastric neuroendocrine tumours (gNETs), the latter further classified into three types. Type I anatype II gNETs are gastrin-dependent and develop in chronic atrophic gastritis and as part of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome within a multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome (MEN1), respectively. Type III or sporadic gNETs develop in the absence of hypergastrinaemia and in the context of a near-normal or inflamed gastric mucosa. gNECs can also develop in the context of variable atrophic, relatively normal or inflamed gastric mucosa. Each gNEN type has different clinical characteristics and requires a different multidisciplinary approach in expert dedicated centres. Type I gNETs are managed mainly by endoscopy or surgery, whereas the treatment of type II gNETs largely depends on the management of the concomitant MEN1. Type III gNETs may require both locoregional approaches and systemic treatments; NECs are often metastatic and therefore require systemic treatment. Specific data regarding the systemic treatment of gNENs are lacking and are derived from the treatment of intestinal NETs and NECs. An enhanced understanding of molecular and clinical pathophysiology is needed to improve the management and outcomes of patients' gNETs.

Clinical manifestation, lifestyle, and treatment patterns of chronic erosive gastritis: A multicenter real-world study in China

BACKGROUND

Although chronic erosive gastritis (CEG) is common, its clinical characteristics have not been fully elucidated. The lack of consensus regarding its treatment has resulted in varied treatment regimens.

AIM

To explore the clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, and short-term outcomes in CEG patients in China.

METHODS

We recruited patients with chronic non-atrophic or mild-to-moderate atrophic gastritis with erosion based on endoscopy and pathology. Patients and treating physicians completed a questionnaire regarding history, endoscopic findings, and treatment plans as well as a follow-up questionnaire to investigate changes in symptoms after 4 wk of treatment.

RESULTS

Three thousand five hundred sixty-three patients from 42 centers across 24 cities in China were included. Epigastric pain (68.0%), abdominal distension (62.6%), and postprandial fullness (47.5%) were the most common presenting symptoms. Gastritis was classified as chronic non-atrophic in 69.9% of patients. Among those with erosive lesions, 72.1% of patients had lesions in the antrum, 51.0% had multiple lesions, and 67.3% had superficial flat lesions. In patients with epigastric pain, the combination of a mucosal protective agent (MPA) and proton pump inhibitor was more effective. For those with postprandial fullness, acid regurgitation, early satiety, or nausea, a MPA appeared more promising.

CONCLUSION

CEG is a multifactorial disease which is common in Asian patients and has non-specific symptoms. Gastroscopy may play a major role in its detection and diagnosis. Treatment should be individualized based on symptom profile.

Prevalence and temporal trend of gastric preneoplastic lesions in Asia: A systematic review with meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer globally, with about 75% of cases occurring in Asia. While chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) and intestinal metaplasia (IM) are well-recognized preneoplastic gastric lesions, we determined the prevalence and temporal trend of CAG and IM in Asia over the past 50 years.

METHODS

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science for studies reporting the prevalence of CAG and IM in Asia (according to the United Nations geoscheme) published between 1970 and 2022. Heterogeneity was assessed by the I2 index and Cochran Q test. We adopted the random effects model to estimate the pooled prevalence and 95% confidence interval (CI). The slope of prevalence was estimated as a function of time in simple linear regression and weighted meta-regression models to demonstrate the temporal trend. Studies that reported the odds ratio (OR) of Helicobacter pylori infection and CAG/IM were analyzed separately to compile a pooled OR with a 95% CI. This study was registered in INPLASY2022120028.

RESULTS

Of the 81 studies from 19 Asian countries identified, the pooled prevalence for CAG and IM in Asia was 26.1% (95%CI: 22.7-30.0) and 22.9% (95%CI: 19.7-26.6), respectively. Over the past 5 decades, there was a significant decline in the prevalence of IM (slope in adjusted meta-regression models: -0.79 [95%CI: -1.28 to -0.26], P = 0.003), but there was no significant change in the pooled prevalence of CAG. Within Asia, the prevalence varied significantly among different regions. Southern Asia reported the highest pooled prevalence of CAG (42.9%, 95%CI: 27.5%-67.1%), while Western Asia reported the lowest level (12.7%, 95%CI: 5.0%-32.3%). For IM, Eastern Asia reported the highest prevalence (27.1%, 95%CI: 21.1-34.9), with the lowest prevalence reported in Western Asia (3.1%; 95% CI 1.2%-8.0%). H. pylori infection was linked to CAG and IM with OR of 2.16 (95%CI: 2.09-2.22) and 1.64 (95%CI: 1.57-1.72), respectively.

CONCLUSION

This updated meta-analysis showed that up to 26% of study individuals in Asia harbored preneoplastic gastric lesions. There was a declining temporal trend in the prevalence of IM, but not for CAG, in Asia.

Study of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with chronic atrophic gastritis and its relationship with lifestyle habits and dietary nutrient intake: A retrospective analysis

To explore Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection status and its relationship with lifestyle habits and dietary factors in patients with chronic atrophic gastritis. Six hundred thirty-eight patients with chronic atrophic gastritis, who were admitted to our hospital from March 2021 to April 2023, were selected for the study. All patients underwent the 13C urea breath test. The relationship between the detection rate of Hp infection and the clinical characteristics, lifestyle habits, and dietary factors of the patients was analyzed. Among the 638 patients with chronic atrophic gastritis, 531 patients were tested positive for Hp infection, the positive rate for Hp infection was approximately 83.23%. Analyzing the clinical characteristics of the patients, it was found that age, family history of gastric cancer, degree of chronic inflammation, degree of glandular atrophy, presence of low-grade dysplasia, and intestinal metaplasia all have an impact on the positive detection rate of patients (P < .05). Analyzing the patients' lifestyle habits, it was found that BMI, smoking history, alcohol consumption, preference for spicy food, dining location, consumption of pickled foods, frequent consumption of grilled/barbecued foods, preference for strong tea, consumption of sweets, and work-related stress had an impact on the positive rate of Hp infection in patients (P < .05). The discovery showed that the levels of total protein, albumin, hemoglobin, cholesterol, and the intake of livestock and poultry meat, seafood, dairy products, vegetables, fruits, and fats have an impact on the positivity rate of Hp infection in patients (P < .05). A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed, and it was found that patients' age, family history of gastric cancer, degree of chronic inflammation, degree of glandular atrophy, presence of low-grade dysplasia, presence of wasting or obesity, history of alcohol consumption, preference for spicy food, dining location, frequent consumption of strong tea, high work pressure, high intake of fish and seafood, low intake of dairy products, low intake of vegetables, low intake of fruits, and low intake of fats all had an impact on the occurrence of Hp infection in patients (P < .05). There is a certain correlation between patients' lifestyle habits, dietary factors, and clinical characteristics with the occurrence of Hp infection. These factors can assist in the prevention of Hp infection.

Iron and Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Patients with Autoimmune Gastritis and Helicobacter pylori Gastritis: Results from a Prospective Multicenter Study

INTRODUCTION

Iron and vitamin B12 deficiencies are common in patients with atrophic gastritis, but there are limited data on the prevalence of these deficiencies in different types of atrophic gastritis.

METHODS

This multicenter, prospective study assessed micronutrient concentrations in histologically confirmed autoimmune gastritis (AIG, n = 45), Helicobacter pylori-related non-autoimmune gastritis (NAIG, n = 109), and control patients (n = 201). A multivariate analysis was performed to determine factors influencing those deficiencies.

RESULTS

The median vitamin B12 concentration was significantly lower in AIG (367.5 pg/mL, Q1, Q3: 235.5, 524.5) than in NAIG (445.0 pg/mL, Q1, Q3: 355.0, 565.0, p = 0.001) and control patients (391.0 pg/mL, Q1, Q3: 323.5, 488.7, p = 0.001). Vitamin B12 deficiency was found in 13.3%, 1.5%, and 2.8% of AIG, NAIG, and control patients, respectively. Similarly, the median ferritin concentration was significantly lower in AIG (39.5 ng/mL, Q1, Q3: 15.4, 98.3 ng/mL) than in NAIG (80.5 ng/mL, Q1, Q3: 43.6, 133.9, p = 0.04) and control patients (66.5 ng/mL, Q1, Q3: 33.4, 119.8, p = 0.007). Iron deficiency and iron deficiency adjusted to CRP were present in 28.9% and 33.3% of AIG, 12.8% and 16.5% of NAIG, and 12.9% and 18.4% of controls, respectively. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that AIG patients had a higher risk of developing vitamin B12 deficiency (OR: 11.52 [2.85-57.64, p = 0.001]) and iron deficiency (OR: 2.92 [1.32-6.30, p = 0.007]) compared to control patients. Factors like age, sex, and H. pylori status did not affect the occurrence of vitamin B12 or iron deficiency.

CONCLUSION

Iron and vitamin B12 deficiencies are more commonly observed in patients with AIG than in those with NAIG or control patients. Therefore, it is essential to screen for both iron and vitamin B12 deficiencies in AIG patients and include the treatment of micronutrient deficiencies in the management of atrophic gastritis patients.

Incidence and Predictors of Gastric Neoplastic Lesions in Corpus-Restricted Atrophic Gastritis: A Single-Center Cohort Study

INTRODUCTION

Corpus-restricted atrophic gastritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder leading to possible development of type 1 neuroendocrine tumors (T1gNET), intraepithelial neoplasia (IEN), and gastric cancer (GC). We aimed to assess occurrence and predictors of gastric neoplastic lesions in patients with corpus-restricted atrophic gastritis at long-term follow-up.

METHODS

A prospective single-center cohort of patients with corpus-restricted atrophic gastritis adhering to endoscopic-histological surveillance was considered. Follow-up gastroscopies were scheduled according to the management of epithelial precancerous conditions and lesions of the stomach guidelines. In case of new/worsening of known symptoms, gastroscopy was anticipated. Cox regression analyses and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were obtained.

RESULTS

Two hundred seventy-five patients with corpus-restricted atrophic gastritis (72.0% female, median age 61 [23-84] years) were included. At a median follow-up of 5 (1-17) years, the annual incidence rate person-year was 0.5%, 0.6%, 2.8%, and 3.9% for GC/high-grade IEN, low-grade IEN, T1gNET, and all gastric neoplastic lesions, respectively. All patients showed at baseline operative link for gastritis assessment (OLGA)-2, except 2 low-grade (LG) IEN patients and 1 T1gNET patient with OLGA-1. Age older than 60 years (hazard ratio [HR] 4.7), intestinal metaplasia without pseudopyloric metaplasia (HR 4.3), and pernicious anemia (HR 4.3) were associated with higher risk for GC/HG-IEN or LG-IEN development and shorter mean survival time for progression (13.4, 13.2, and 11.1, respectively, vs 14.7 years, P = 0.01). Pernicious anemia was an independent risk factor for T1gNET (HR 2.2) and associated with a shorter mean survival time for progression (11.7 vs 13.6 years, P = 0.04) as well as severe corpus atrophy (12.8 vs 13.6 years, P = 0.03).

DISCUSSION

Patients with corpus-restricted atrophic gastritis are at increased risk for GC and T1gNET despite low-risk OLGA scores, and those aged older than 60 years with corpus intestinal metaplasia or pernicious anemia seem to display a high-risk scenario.

Chronic atrophic gastritis - An overlooked association with severe vitamin B12 deficiency: A case report and rapid review of literature

Current guidelines recommend surveillance for gastric adenocarcinoma in patients with extensive chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG), which is considered a premalignant condition. Although the association between vitamin B12 deficiency and CAG is well described, the indication for endoscopic investigation is only advised in patients with pernicious anaemia. Our case did not have evidence of autoimmune or H. pylori infection but despite this she had CAG. We suggest considering gastroscopy for severe, unexplained vitamin B12 deficiency, particularly in this patient group.

Exploring the spectrum of incidental gastric polyps in autoimmune gastritis

BACKGROUND

Gastric polyps represent an abnormal proliferation of the gastric mucosa. Chronic atrophic autoimmune gastritis (CAAG) targets parietal cells and results in hypo-achlorhydria and hypergastrinemia, which exerts a proliferative effect on the gastric mucosa.

AIMS

We investigate the incidence of gastric polyps in CAAG patients.

METHODS

This is a single-center retrospective study examining patients with confirmed CAAG from January 1990 until June 2022. Demographic, clinical, biochemical, and serological data were collected for each included patient. The histopathological characteristics of the detected polyps were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 176 CAAG patients were included. Eighty-nine (50.5%) had 163 incidental polyps. Seventy-six patients (85%) had 130 non-endocrine lesions, among which 118 (90.7%) were inflammatory, 6 (4.6%) adenomatous, and 4 (3%) fundic; 33 patients (37%) had gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms (gNENs), and 21 (23.6%) both; one had MALToma and one gastric adenocarcinoma. Higher circulating levels of gastrin and chromogranin A were observed among patients with polyps (median 668 vs 893 pg/ml p = 0.0237, 146 vs 207 ng/ml p = 0.0027, respectively).

CONCLUSION

CAAG implies a high incidence of gNENs and exocrine lesions. Gastrin plays a possible trophic role on the mucosa. Further evidence is needed to validate its predictive role for increased polyp risk in CAAG.

Risk of gastric carcinoma will be low in generations born at turn of the 20th and 21st centuries in Finland. Modelling NORDCAN data of the age group specific incidence rates of gastric cancer with PLS-regression and with attention to age ('age effect') and year of the birth ('cohort effect')

BACKGROUND AND METHODS

We examined in NORDCAN database how the annual age group-specific incidence rates (IR) of gastric cancer (GCA), and correspondingly the GCA risk, have declined in Finland during the twentieth century, and whether this decline corresponds to a decrease in the cohort-specific prevalence rate of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) gastritis that is considered an important precancerous risk condition for GCA.

RESULTS

In modelling with partial least squares regression (PLSR), the logarithmically transformed IRs (ln(IR) of GCA were well explained with age and birth cohort as explanatory model variables. By considering the observed (actual) and the PLSR-modelled IRs, the IR of GCA (and the risk of GCA) has decreased gradually in Finland from 1900 onward, cohort by cohort. By prediction of the future with PLSR, the IRs of GCA will be markedly lower in all cohorts during the twenty-first century than in the twentieth century. By PLSR modelling, less than 10 GCA cases per 100,000 people are predicted to appear annually in cohorts (generations) born at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries, even when these people will be 60-80 years old in the years 2060-2070.

CONCLUSIONS

The IR of GCA and GCA risk progressively declined by cohort in Finland during the whole twentieth century. This decline corresponds in extent and time window to earlier observations in the decline of the prevalence rate of Hp gastritis in the same birth cohorts and supports the hypothesis of the role of Hp gastritis as an important risk condition of GCA.

Adequacy of endoscopic recognition and surveillance of gastric intestinal metaplasia and atrophic gastritis: A multicentre retrospective study in low incidence countries

BACKGROUND

Gastric atrophy (GA) and gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM) are precursor conditions to gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) and should be monitored endoscopically in selected individuals. However, little is known about adherence to recommendations in clinical practice in low-risk countries.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate endoscopic recognition and adequacy of surveillance for GA and GIM in countries with low GAC prevalence.

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed patients diagnosed with GIM or GA in three centers in The Netherlands and UK between 2012 and 2019. Cases with GIM and/or GA diagnosis at index endoscopy were retrieved through systematic search of pathology databases using 'gastric' and 'intestinal metaplasia' or 'atrophy' keywords. Endoscopy reports were analysed to ascertain accuracy of endoscopic diagnoses. Adequacy of surveillance was assessed following histological diagnosis at the index endoscopy based on ESGE guidelines published in 2012.

RESULTS

We included 396 patients with a median follow-up of 57.2 months. Mean age was 66 years and the rates of antrum-predominant versus extensive GIM were comparable (37% vs 38%). Endoscopic recognition rates were 48.5% for GA and 16.3% for GIM. Surveillance was adequately carried out in 215 of 396 patients (54.3%).

CONCLUSION

In countries with a low incidence of GAC, the rate of endoscopic recognition of gastric pre-cancerous lesions and adherence to surveillance recommendation are low. Substantial improvement is required in endoscopic training and awareness of guidelines recommendation in order to optimise detection and management of pre-malignant gastric conditions.

Prevalence of Gastric Preneoplastic Lesions in First-Degree Relatives of Patients with Gastric Cancer: a Cross-Sectional Study

PURPOSE

Worldwide, gastric cancer (GC) is the 5th cancer with the highest incidence and the 4th in mortality. To reduce it, one strategy is to diagnose preneoplastic lesions (PNL): atrophic gastritis (AG), intestinal metaplasia (IM), and dysplasia (DYS); to form risk groups on which to focus surveillance efforts as are first-degree relatives (FDR). The aim of this study was to determine prevalence of gastric PNL in FDR of patients with GC, and to study association with sex, age, and Helicobacter pylorii (Hp) infection.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study. One hundred and ten FDR, aged between 50 and 65 years, 54.5 female, obtained through convenience sampling, were studied. Biodemographic data survey and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with histological study were applied according to Sidney protocol, and focal lesions found. Diagnosis of these lesions and condition of mucosa was carried out by applying OLGA and OLGIM systems. Descriptive statistics, estimation of prevalence, odds ratio (OR), and 95% confidence intervals (95CI) were calculated.

RESULTS

Median age of study group was 56.5 years. Prevalence of PNL, AG, IM, and DYS were 86.4%, 82.7%, 54.5%, and 12.7% respectively. Advanced stages of OLGA and OLGIM were verified in 18.0% and 16.3% respectively. No association with sex, age, and Hp infection were found ([OR 3.10; 95CI 1.0; 9.64]; [OR 0.74; 95CI 0.26; 2.14]; [OR 0.58; 95CI 0.12; 2.77]) respectively.

CONCLUSION

FDR of patients with GC have a high prevalence of PNL, which makes them a risk group in which endoscopic surveillance should be applied.

Autoimmune gastritis: long-term natural history in naïve Helicobacter pylori-negative patients

OBJECTIVE

Autoimmune gastritis (AIG) is an immunomediated disease targeting parietal cells, eventually resulting in oxyntic-restricted atrophy. This long-term follow-up study aimed at elucidating the natural history, histological phenotype(s), and associated cancer risk of patients with AIG consistently tested H. pylori-negative (naïve H. pylori-negative subjects).

DESIGN

Two-hundred eleven naïve H. pylori-negative patients (tested by serology, histology, molecular biology) with AIG (F:M=3.15:1; p<0.001) were prospectively followed up with paired biopsies (T1 vs T2; mean follow-up years:7.5 (SD:4.4); median:7). Histology distinguished non-atrophic versus atrophic AIG. Atrophy was further subtyped/scored as non-metaplastic versus metaplastic (pseudopyloric (PPM) and intestinal (IM)). Enterochromaffin-like-cell (ECL) status was categorised as diffuse versus adenomatoid hyperplasia/dysplasia, and type 1 neuroendocrine tumours (Type1-NETs).

RESULTS

Over the long-term histological follow-up, AIG consistently featured oxyntic-predominant-mononuclear inflammation. At T1, PPM-score was greater than IM (200/211 vs 160/211, respectively); IM scores increased from T1 to T2 (160/211 to 179/211), with no changes in the PPM prevalence (T1=200/211; T2=201/211). At both T1/T2, the prevalence of OLGA-III-stage was <5%; no Operative Link on Gastritis Assessment (OLGA)-IV-stage occurred. ECL-cell-status progressed from diffuse to adenomatoid hyperplasia/dysplasia (T1=167/14 vs T2=151/25). Type1-NETs (T1=10; T2=11) always coexisted with extensive oxyntic-atrophy, and ECL adenomatoid-hyperplasia/dysplasia. No excess risk of gastric or other malignancies was found over a cumulative follow-up time of 10 541 person years, except for (marginally significant) thyroid cancer (SIR=3.09; 95% CI 1.001 to 7.20).

CONCLUSIONS

Oxyntic-restricted inflammation, PPM (more than IM), and ECL-cell hyperplasia/neoplasia are the histological AIG hallmarks. Compared with the general population, corpus-restricted inflammation/atrophy does not increase the GC risk. The excess of GC risk reported in patients with AIG could plausibly result from unrecognised previous/current H. pylori comorbidity.

Association of serum pepsinogens and gastrin-17 with Helicobacter pylori infection assessed by urea breath test

Background

Association of gastric atrophy or cancer with levels of serum pepsinogens, gastrin-17 and anti-Helicobacter pylori IgG antibody have been extensively studied. However, the association of serum pepsinogen and gastrin-17 with H. pylori infection has not been studied in a large population.

Aim

To investigate the impact of H. pylori infection on serum levels of pepsinogens and gastrin-17.

Methods

A total of 354, 972 subjects who underwent health check-ups were included. Serum levels of pepsinogens and gastrin-17 were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. H. pylori infection was detected using ¹⁴C-urea breath test (UBT). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association of serum pepsinogen and gastrin-17 with H. pylori infection.

Results

H. pylori prevalence was 33.18% in this study. The mean levels of pepsinogens and gastrin-17 were higher, while the mean pepsinogen-I/II ratio were lower among H. pylori-positive than -negative subjects. In H. pylori-positive subjects, pepsinogen and gastrin-17 levels correlated positively, whereas the pepsinogen-I/II ratio correlated negatively with UBT values (e.g., the mean serum level of pepsinogen-I in subjects with UBT values in the range of 100-499dpm, 500-1499dpm, and ≥1500dpm was 94.77 ± 38.99, 102.77 ± 43.59, and 111.53 ± 47.47 ng/mL, respectively). Compared with H. pylori-negative subjects, the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of having pepsinogen-I ≤ 70 ng/mL in the three H. pylori-positive but with different UBT value groups was 0.31 (p<0.001), 0.16 (p<0.001), and 0.08 (p<0.001), respectively; while the aOR of having G-17>5.70 pmol/L was 4.56 (p<0.001), 7.43 (p<0.001), and 7.12 (p<0.001). This suggested that H. pylori-positive subjects with higher UBT values were less likely to have pepsinogen-I ≤70 ng/mL (a serum marker for gastric atrophy), but more likely to have gastrin-17 >5.70 pmol/L (a marker for peptic ulcer).

Conclusions

H. pylori-positive subjects with higher UBT values are unlikely to have gastric atrophy, but may have greater risk of severe gastritis or peptic ulcers. Our study suggests that H. pylori-positive patients with high UBT values may benefit the most from H. pylori eradication.

Inverse correlation between gastroesophageal reflux disease and atrophic gastritis assessed by endoscopy and serology

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is known to prevent the occurrence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by inducing gastric mucosal atrophy. However, little is known about the relationship between atrophic gastritis (AG) and GERD.

AIM

To confirm the inverse correlation between AG and the occurrence and severity of GERD.

METHODS

Individuals receiving health checkups who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at Seoul National University Healthcare System Gangnam Center were included. The grade of reflux esophagitis was evaluated according to the Los Angeles classification. Endoscopic AG (EAG) was categorized into six grades. Serologic AG (SAG) was defined as pepsinogen I ≤ 70 ng/mL and pepsinogen I/II ratio ≤ 3.0. The association between the extent of EAG and SAG and the occurrence and severity of GERD was evaluated using multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

In total, 4684 individuals with GERD were compared with 21901 healthy controls. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, advanced age, male sex, body mass index > 23 kg/m², presence of metabolic syndrome, current smoking, and alcohol consumption were associated with an increased risk of GERD. Seropositivity for H. pylori immunoglobulin G antibodies was associated with a decreased risk of GERD. There was an inverse correlation between the extent of EAG and occurrence of GERD: Odds ratio (OR), 1.01 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.90-1.14] in C1, 0.87 (0.78-0.97) in C2, 0.71 (0.62-0.80) in C3, 0.52 (0.44-0.61) in O1, 0.37 (0.29-0.48) in O2, and 0.28 (0.18-0.43) in O3. Additionally, the extent of EAG showed an inverse correlation with the severity of GERD. The presence of SAG was correlated with a reduced risk of GERD (OR = 0.49, 95%CI: 0.28-0.87, P = 0.014).

CONCLUSION

The extent of EAG and SAG exhibited strong inverse relationships with the occurrence and severity of GERD. AG followed by H. pylori infection may be independently protect against GERD.

The risk of diffuse-type gastric cancer following diagnosis with gastric precancerous lesions: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Gastric cancers are classified as diffuse-type (DTGC) or intestinal-type (ITGC). DTGCs have distinct clinical and histopathologic features, and carry a worse overall prognosis compared to ITGCs. Atrophic gastritis (AG) and intestinal metaplasia (IM) are known precursors to ITGC. It is unknown if AG and IM increase risk for DTGC.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review to identify studies reporting on the association of AG/IM and DTGC. We extracted the odds ratio (OR) of the association from studies, and performed pool analysis. Subgroup analysis was performed on studies reporting histologic severity (using operative link systems) to assess if histologic severity of AG/IM was associated with higher risk.

RESULTS

We identified six case-control and eight cohort studies for inclusion. Both AG (pooled OR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.5 to 2.4, p < 0.001) and IM (pooled OR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.9 to 2.9, p < 0.001) demonstrated an association with DTGC. High AG severity was associated with increased risk for DTGC compared to low AG severity (OR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.3, p = 0.002). Similarly, high IM severity was associated with increased risk compared to low IM severity (OR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.3 to 2.7, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Both AG and IM are associated with DTGC. Increasing histologic severity of both AG and IM increases risk for DTGC. There may exist a common pathway between ITGC and some DTGCs mediated through mucosal precursor lesions. These data may inform future strategies of cancer risk attenuation and control.

The role of endoscopic and demographic features in the diagnosis of gastric precancerous conditions

INTRODUCTION

The diagnosis of atrophic gastritis (AG) and intestinal metaplasia (IM) is a crucial screening and surveillance strategy of gastric adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVES

The main objective was to assess the performance of endoscopic diagnosis of gastric precancerous conditions in a real-life scenario.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

2099 gastroscopies with biopsy to evaluate gastritis performed in three endoscopic centers from 03.2018 to 10.2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Endoscopic data regarding gastritis, atrophy and intestinal metaplasia were compared with histopathological reports.

RESULTS

The endoscopic diagnosis sensitivity was 69.5% for AG and 19.4% for IM. The specificity of endoscopic detection of AG was 69.5% and 97.9% for IM. The endoscopic detection of gastritis was a risk factor of AG and IM diagnosis (OR 5.1, 95% CI 1.9-14.1 and OR 14.5, 95% CI 5.9-35.8, respectively) and the patient's age was a risk factor of AG, IM, dysplasia and advanced stages of AG (ASAG) diagnosis (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.04-1.06; OR 1.035, 95% CI 1.03-1.04; OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02-1.06, OR 1.05, 95 %CI 1.02-1.09, respectively). The age threshold of 45 years or 40 years with endoscopically diagnosed gastritis for obtaining biopsy would result in 96.3% and 95% ASAG or dysplasia diagnosis sensitivity and in the reduction of the number of biopsies by 20.2% and 20.5%, respectively.   Conclusions: The application of the age threshold with or without an endoscopic diagnosis of gastritis could reduce the number of mapping biopsies with high sensitivity to detect advanced stages of atrophic gastritis or dysplasia.

Predictors for regression and progression of intestinal metaplasia (IM): A large population-based study from low prevalence area of gastric cancer (IM-predictor trial)

Background

Gastric intestinal metaplasia (IM) can lead to gastric cancer. Until now, there have been limited studies of predictors for regression and progression of IM. This study aimed to determine risk factors associated with regression or progression of IM for guiding proper management and prevention of gastric cancer.

Methods

2,025 patients undergoing gastroscopy in Thammasat University Hospital, Thailand were enrolled during September 2017-August 2019. Patients’ data including baseline characteristics, laboratory results, and histopathology of gastric biopsies from University medical database were extensively reviewed.

Results

2,025 patients had mean age of 61.3 years and 44.2% were males. Overall H. pylori prevalence was 47.5%. There were 1,551(76.6%) patients with chronic gastritis and 361(17.8%) with IM. Of 400 patients with chronic gastritis having follow-up endoscopy and repeated gastric biopsies, 104(26%) had persistent H. pylori infection and 27(26%) developed IM during mean follow-up time of 24 months. Persistent H. pylori infection was significantly associated with development of IM (OR 3.16, 95%CI 1.56–6.39, p = 0.001). Regression, persistence, and progression of IM were demonstrated in 57.3%, 39.2%, and 3.5% of patients, respectively. Age >65 years, persistent H. pylori infection, and diabetes mellitus were significantly associated with persistent IM or progression to dysplasia with OR 2.47(95%CI 1.33–4.61, p = 0.004), OR 2.64(95%CI 1.13–6.18, p = 0.025), and OR 2.54(95%CI 1.16–5.54, p = 0.019), respectively. Patients without H. pylori infection had more IM regression than patients with persistent infection (60.4%vs.39.4%, p = 0.035). Patients with persistent H. pylori infection significantly had higher IM progression to dysplasia (15.2%vs.2.1%; OR 11.15, 95%CI 1.18–105.24, p = 0.035) than noninfected. During 24 months of study, 30 patients (1.5%) were diagnosed with gastric cancer.

Conclusion

Regression of IM could be achieved by successful H. pylori eradication. Persistent H. pylori infection was significantly associated with development and progression of IM to dysplasia. Age >65 years and diabetes mellitus were also significant predictors for IM progression.

Cytokine TGF-β1, TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-6 Gene Polymorphisms and Localization of Premalignant Gastric Lesions in Immunohistochemically H. pylori-negative Patients

Background: Cytokines and their gene variants are proven to play a role in pathogenic gastritis and carcinogenesis. The study assesses associations of the cytokine gene polymorphisms with extension of atrophic gastritis/intestinal metaplasia (AGIM) in patients without Helicobacter pylori infection on immunohistochemistry study. Methods: 224 adult consecutive patients undergoing an upper digestive endoscopy were included and grouped according to localization of AGIM: 37 patients with antrum-limited AGIM, 21 corpus-limited AGIM, 15 extended-AGIM (antrum and corpus) and 151 patients had no AGIM. Medical records of the patients were checked and a structured direct interview was applied in order to collect clinical data, including digestive symptoms. In all cases, IFN-γ +874T>A, TGF-β1 +869T>C, TNF-α-308G>A and -238G>A, and IL-6 -174C>G polymorphisms were genotyped. Results: The mean age was significantly higher in the AGIM group, while the comorbidies were similar among patients with different localization of lesions or in patients without AGIM. There were no significant differences in digestive symptoms, nor in the consumption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or proton pump inhibitor with the different extensions of AGIM. There was a significant association between oral anticoagulant consumption and localization of AGIM (P = 0.042), frequency being higher among patients with corpus-limited AGIM than those with no AGIM (P = 0.007, adjusted P = 0.041). TGF-β1 +869T>C was less frequent among patients with corpus-limited AGIM (n=7, 33.3%) and extended AGIM (n=5, 33.3%) than in antrum-limited AGIM (n=25, 67.6%). There were no other significant differences regarding variant and wild genotype frequencies of IFN-γ +874T>A (86.5%, 81.0%, 86.7%, p=0.814), TNF-α-308G>A (35.1%, 28.6%, 53.3%, p=0.48) and IL-6 -174C>G (70.3%. 61.9%, 73.3% p=0.656) among patients with antrum-limited, corpus-limited or extended AGIM. TGF-β1 +869T>C was associated with a decreased risk for corpus-affected AGIM (adjusted odds ratio: 0.42, 95% confidence interval: 0.19-0.93, P = 0.032). The dominant inheritance models no revealed significant association for IFN-γ +874T>A, TNF-α-308G>A and IL-6 -174C>G gene polymorphism and the risk of localization of AGIM. Conclusion: TGF-β1 +869T>C gene polymorphism is associated with a decreased risk for corporeal localization of premalignant lesions, while IFN-γ +874T>A, TNF-α-308G>A and IL-6 -174C>G are not associated with the risk for AGIM in immunohistochemically H. pylori negative patients.

Helicobacter pylori infection with atrophic gastritis: An independent risk factor for colorectal adenomas

BACKGROUND

The significance of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and atrophic gastritis (AG) in the prevalence of colorectal adenomas has been examined in a limited number of studies. However, these studies reported disputed conclusions.

AIM

To investigate whether H. pylori infection, AG, and H. pylori-related AG increase the risk of colorectal adenomas.

METHODS

This retrospective cross-sectional study included 6018 health-check individuals. The relevant data for physical examination, laboratory testing, ¹³C-urea breath testing, gastroscopy, colonoscopy and histopathological examination of gastric and colorectal biopsies were recorded. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the association between H. pylori-related AG and colorectal adenomas.

RESULTS

Overall, 1012 subjects (16.8%) were diagnosed with colorectal adenomas, of whom 143 (2.4%) had advanced adenomas. Among the enrolled patients, the prevalence of H. pylori infection and AG was observed as 49.5% (2981/6018) and 10.0% (602/6018), respectively. Subjects with H. pylori infection had an elevated risk of colorectal adenomas (adjusted odds ratio [OR] of 1.220, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.053-1.413, P = 0.008) but no increased risk of advance adenomas (adjusted OR = 1.303, 95%CI: 0.922-1.842, P = 0.134). AG was significantly correlated to an increased risk of colorectal adenomas (unadjusted OR = 1.668, 95%CI: 1.352-2.059, P < 0.001; adjusted OR = 1.237, 95%CI: 0.988-1.549, P = 0.064). H. pylori infection accompanied by AG was significantly associated with an increased risk of adenomas (adjusted OR = 1.491, 95%CI: 1.103-2.015, P = 0.009) and advanced adenomas (adjusted OR = 1.910, 95%CI: 1.022-3.572, P = 0.043).

CONCLUSION

H. pylori-related AG was associated with a high risk of colorectal adenomas and advanced adenomas in Chinese individuals.

Associations Between Gastric Atrophy and Its Interaction With Poor Oral Health and the Risk for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a High-Risk Region of China: A Population-Based Case-Control Study

Previous findings concerning gastric atrophy as a potential risk factor for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) have been inconsistent. We aimed to test whether gastric atrophy and, further, its interaction with poor oral health elevated the risk of ESCC in a high-risk region of China. Our population-based case-control study in Taixing, China (2010–2014), recruited cases from local hospitals and the local cancer registry. Controls were selected randomly from the local population registry. Ultimately, 1,210 cases and 1,978 controls answered questionnaires and provided blood samples for assay of pepsinogens. Unconditional logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Gastric atrophy (defined as a serum level of pepsinogen I of <55 μg/L) was associated with an increased risk for ESCC (odds ratio = 1.61; 95% confidence interval: 1.33, 1.96), even after full adjustment for potential confounding factors. In addition, suggestion of an additive interaction between gastric atrophy and poor oral health was observed (relative excess risk due to interaction = 1.28, 95% confidence interval: 0.39, 2.18). We conclude that gastric atrophy appears to be a risk factor for ESCC in a high-risk region of China, and there is a suggested additive interaction with poor oral health that increases this risk even further.

Type I and type II Helicobacter pylori infection status and their impact on gastrin and pepsinogen level in a gastric cancer prevalent area

BACKGROUND

Type I Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection causes severe gastric inflammation and is a predisposing factor for gastric carcinogenesis. However, its infection status in stepwise gastric disease progression in this gastric cancer prevalent area has not been evaluated; it is also not known its impact on commonly used epidemiological gastric cancer risk markers such as gastrin-17 (G-17) and pepsinogens (PGs) during clinical practice.

AIM

To explore the prevalence of type I and type II H. pylori infection status and their impact on G-17 and PG levels in clinical practice.

METHODS

Thirty-five hundred and seventy-two hospital admitted patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms were examined, and 523 patients were enrolled in this study. H. pylori infection was confirmed by both ¹³C-urea breath test and serological assay. Patients were divided into non-atrophic gastritis (NAG), non-atrophic gastritis with erosion (NAGE), chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG), peptic ulcers (PU) and gastric cancer (GC) groups. Their serological G-17, PG I and PG II values and PG I/PG II ratio were also measured.

RESULTS

A total H. pylori infection rate of 3572 examined patients was 75.9%, the infection rate of 523 enrolled patients was 76.9%, among which type I H. pylori infection accounted for 72.4% (291/402) and type II was 27.6%; 88.4% of GC patients were H. pylori positive, and 84.2% of them were type I infection, only 11.6% of GC patients were H. pylori negative. Infection rates of type I H. pylori in NAG, NAGE, CAG, PU and GC groups were 67.9%, 62.7%, 79.7%, 77.6% and 84.2%, respectively. H. pylori infection resulted in significantly higher G-17 and PG II values and decreased PG I/PG II ratio. Both types of H. pylori induced higher G-17 level, but type I strain infection resulted in an increased PG II level and decreased PG I/PG II ratio in NAG, NAGE and CAG groups over uninfected controls. Overall PG I levels showed no difference among all disease groups and in the presence or absence of H. pylori; in stratified analysis, its level was increased in GC and PU patients in H. pylori and type I H. pylori-positive groups.

CONCLUSION

Type I H. pylori infection is the major form of infection in this geographic region, and a very low percentage (11.6%) of GC patients are not infected by H. pylori. Both types of H. pylori induce an increase in G-17 level, while type I H. pylori is the major strain that affects PG I and PG IIs level and PG I/PG II ratio in stepwise chronic gastric disease. The data provide insights into H. pylori infection status and indicate the necessity and urgency for bacteria eradication and disease prevention in clinical practice.

Comparison of operative link for gastritis assessment, operative link on gastric intestinal metaplasia assessment, and TAIM stagings among men with atrophic gastritis

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer is the world’s third most lethal malignancy. Most gastric cancers develop through precancerous states of atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia. Two staging systems, operative link for gastritis assessment (OLGA) and operative link on gastric intestinal metaplasia assessment (OLGIM), have been developed to detect high gastric cancer risk. European guidelines recommend surveillance for high-risk OLGA/OLGIM patients (stages III–IV), and for those with advanced stage of atrophic gastritis in the whole stomach mucosa. We hypothesize, that by combining atrophy and intestinal metaplasia into one staging named TAIM, more patients with increased gastric cancer risk could be detected.

AIM

To evaluate the clinical value of the OLGA, OLGIM, and novel TAIM stagings as prognostic indicators for gastric cancer.

METHODS

In the Helsinki Gastritis Study, 22346 elderly male smokers from southwestern Finland were screened for serum pepsinogen I (PGI). Between the years 1989 and 1993, men with low PGI values (PGI < 25 μg/L), were invited to undergo an oesophagogastroduodenoscopy. In this retrospective cohort study, 1147 men that underwent gastroscopy were followed for gastric cancer for a median of 13.7 years, and a maximum of 27.3 years. We developed a new staging system, TAIM, by combining the topography with the severity of atrophy or intestinal metaplasia in gastric biopsies. In TAIM staging, the gastric cancer risk is classified as low or high.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight gastric cancers were diagnosed during the follow-up, and the incidence rate was 1.72 per 1000 patient-years. The cancer risk associated positively with TAIM [Hazard ratio (HR) 2.70, 95%CI: 1.09–6.69, P = 0.03]. The risk increased through OLGIM stages 0-IV (0 vs IV: HR 5.72, 95%CI: 1.03–31.77, P for trend = 0.004), but not through OLGA stages 0–IV (0 vs IV: HR 5.77, 95%CI: 0.67–49.77, P for trend = 0.10). The sensitivities of OLGA and OLGIM stages III–IV were low, 21% and 32%, respectively, whereas that of TAIM high-risk was good, 79%. On the contrary, OLGA and OLGIM had high specificity, 85% and 81%, respectively, but TAIM showed low specificity, 42%. In all three staging systems, the high-risk men had three- to four-times higher gastric cancer risk compared to the general male population of the same age.

CONCLUSION

OLGIM and TAIM stagings show prognostic value in assessing gastric cancer risk in elderly male smokers with atrophic gastritis.

Chemoprevention of gastric cancer development after Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy in an East Asian population: Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a risk factor for gastric cancer (GC), especially in East Asian populations. Most East Asian populations infected with H. pylori are at higher risk for GC than H. pylori-positive European and United States populations. H. pylori eradication therapy reduces gastric cancer risk in patients after endoscopic and operative resection for GC, as well as in non-GC patients with atrophic gastritis.

AIM

To clarify the chemopreventive effects of H. pylori eradication therapy in an East Asian population with a high incidence of GC.

METHODS

PubMed and the Cochrane library were searched for randomized control trials (RCTs) and cohort studies published in English up to March 2019. Subgroup analyses were conducted with regard to study designs (i.e., RCTs or cohort studies), country where the study was conducted (i.e., Japan, China, and South Korea), and observation periods (i.e., ≤ 5 years and > 5 years). The heterogeneity and publication bias were also measured.

RESULTS

For non-GC patients with atrophic gastritis and patients after resection for GC, 4 and 4 RCTs and 12 and 18 cohort studies were included, respectively. In RCTs, the median incidence of GC for the untreated control groups and the treatment groups was 272.7 (180.4–322.4) and 162.3 (72.5–588.2) per 100000 person-years in non-GC cases with atrophic gastritis and 1790.7 (406.5–2941.2) and 1126.2 (678.7–1223.1) per 100000 person-years in cases of after resection for GC. Compared with non-treated H. pylori-positive controls, the eradication groups had a significantly reduced risk of GC, with a relative risk of 0.67 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.47–0.96] for non-GC patients with atrophic gastritis and 0.51 (0.36–0.73) for patients after resection for GC in the RCTs, and 0.39 (0.30–0.51) for patients with gastritis and 0.54 (0.44–0.67) for patients after resection in cohort studies.

CONCLUSION

In the East Asian population with a high risk of GC, H. pylori eradication effectively reduced the risk of GC, irrespective of past history of previous cancer.

Clinical correlation between serum pepsinogen level and gastric atrophy in gastric neoplasm

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The relationship between the serum pepsinogen (sPG) level and changes in gastric mucosa has been well studied. Here, we evaluated the usefulness of sPG (I, II, I/II ratio) and intragastric pH as a biomarker of severe gastric atrophy in gastric neoplastic lesions.

METHODS

A total of 186 consecutive Korean patients with gastric neoplastic lesions underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in this study. The serologic atrophy group had sPG I level ≤ 70 ng/mL and an sPG I/II ratio ≤ 3.0. Before ESD, overnight fasting venous blood and gastric juice samples were collected to measure the sPG level and intragastric pH. The degree of gastric atrophy was estimated by endoscopy, and the rapid urease test was performed to investigate Helicobacter pylori infection.

RESULTS

Patients who met the criteria of serologic atrophy showed more severe endoscopic atrophic changes (61% vs. 18%, p = 0.000). Older patients and those with more atrophic changes at the gastric upper body demonstrated both a lower sPG I level and a lower PG I/II ratio and more severe endoscopic atrophy. The sPG I/II ratio was the lowest in low grade dysplasia than in high grade dysplasia and early gastric cancer (EGC) (p = 0.015). In addition, patients who tested negative for serologic atrophy and H. pylori showed the lowest intragastric pH (p = 0.000).

CONCLUSION

A low sPG I level and a low I/II ratio were correlated with the severity of gastric atrophy in gastric neoplastic lesions, thus indicating it to be a sensitive biomarker of gastric precancerous lesions or EGC.

Prevalence of Atrophic Gastritis in Kazakhstan and the Accuracy of Pepsinogen Tests to Detect Gastric Mucosal Atrophy

BACKGROUND

Atrophic gastritis is considered precursor condition for gastric cancer. There is so far limited evidence on the performance of pepsinogens for atrophy detection in Central Asia. The aim of our study was to detect the prevalence of atrophic gastritis in the asymptomatic adult population in Kazakhstan as well as address the accuracy of pepsinogen testing in atrophy detection.

METHODS

Healthy individuals aged 40-64 were included. Upper endoscopy and pepsinogens (PG) evaluation were performed. PG were analysed in plasma by latex agglutination. Cut off values were used to define decreased PG values (PGR ≤ 3 and PG I ≤ 70 ng/mL); severely decreased PG values (PGR ≤ 2 and PG I ≤ 30 ng/mL). Biopsies were analyzed and obtained according to the updated Sydney System. PG test sensitivity, specificity and overall accuracy were assessed using the histological diagnosis as the "gold standard".

RESULTS

Altogether 157 individuals - female 40,1% and male 59,9% were included. Histologically, moderate to severe corpus atrophy, was present only in 1,3% cases. From all study subjects, 26,8% had decreased plasma PG values with cut-off values PGR ≤ 3 and PG I ≤ 70 ng/mL. The sensitivity of the PG test with this cut-off values was 50,0%, specificity 73,5%, overall accuracy 73,2% for detection of moderate to severe atrophy in the corpus. The sensitivity of PG test with cut-off values PGR ≤ 2 and PG I ≤30 ng/mL was 50,0%, specificity 90,9% and overall accuracy 90,4%.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of gastric mucosal atrophy was low in the Kazakh population. Serological PG test screening nevertheless can play an important role in the diagnosis of gastric precancerous lesions. However, the diagnostic accuracy of the PG test is mainly dependent on the cut-off values for positive results.

Chronic atrophic gastritis: Natural history, diagnosis and therapeutic management. A position paper by the Italian Society of Hospital Gastroenterologists and Digestive Endoscopists [AIGO], the Italian Society of Digestive Endoscopy [SIED], the Italian Society of Gastroenterology [SIGE], and the Italian Society of Internal Medicine [SIMI]

Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) is an underdiagnosed condition characterised by translational features going beyond the strict field of gastroenterology as it may manifest itself by a variable spectrum of gastric and extra-gastric symptoms and signs. It is relatively common among older adults in different parts of the world, but large variations exist. Helicobacter pylori-related CAG [multifocal] and autoimmune CAG (corpus-restricted) are apparently two different diseases, but they display overlapping features. Patients with cobalamin and/or iron deficiency anaemia or autoimmune disorders, including autoimmune thyroiditis and type 1 diabetes mellitus, should be offered screening for CAG. Pepsinogens, gastrin-17, and anti-H. pylori antibodies serum assays seem to be reliable non-invasive screening tools for the presence of CAG, helpful to identify individuals to refer to gastroscopy with five standard gastric biopsies in order to obtain histological confirmation of diagnosis. Patients with CAG are at increased risk of developing gastric cancer, and they should be estimated with histological staging systems (OLGA or OLGIM). H. pylori eradication may be beneficial by modifying the natural history of atrophy, but not that of intestinal metaplasia. Patients with advanced stages of CAG (Stage III/IV OLGA or OLGIM) should undergo endoscopic surveillance every three years, those with autoimmune CAG every three-five years. In patients with CAG, a screening for autoimmune thyroid disease and micronutrient deficiencies, including iron and vitamin B₁₂, should be performed. The optimal treatment for dyspeptic symptoms in patients with CAG remains to be defined. Proton pump inhibitors are not indicated in hypochlorhydric CAG patients.

Efficacy and safety of acupuncture therapy for chronic atrophic gastritis: A meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis protocol

BACKGROUND

The proportion of application of acupuncture for chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) is increasing over time. We will conduct this study to explore the efficacy and safety of acupuncture as a treatment method for CAG.

METHODS

We will go through domestic and foreign databases until July 2019 to identify related randomized controlled trials that explored the effectiveness of acupuncture for CAG. RevMan (V.5.3) and test sequential analysis (V.0.9) will be used for mata-analysis and trial sequential analysis.

RESULTS

This study will update previous evidence summaries of acupuncture and determine the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for CAG based on clinical effectiveness rate, clearance of Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection, and quality of life and symptom scores.

CONCLUSION

This study will determine the evidence for judging whether acupuncture provides benefits in the treatment of CAG, and will support the application of acupuncture in the recovery of patients with CAG.

REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42019127916.

Gastric cancer in patients with gastric atrophy and intestinal metaplasia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

Intestinal metaplasia (IM) and gastric atrophy (GA) are precancerous lesions in the stomach. There is a large debate on natural course of these lesions and surveillance strategy in these patients. This meta-analysis was aimed to find the most appropriate follow up and the rate of progression from IM and GA to GC.

METHODS

This meta-analysis is followed and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Electronic databases including EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science databases, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library were searched until July 2018. Cochran's Q test and I-square (I2) test were used to examine heterogeneity across included studies. We pooled data using random-effect or fixed effect models indicated as incidence rate or proportion with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The variables of study included demographic data, endoscopy interval, follow up interval and time, GA and IM type and GC stage. Moreover, incidence rate of GC and progress rate, regress and persistence proportion in both GA and IM patients were assessed.

RESULTS

Overall, 68 original articles out of 32981 citations were included in our meta-analysis. The pooled GC incidence rate in patients with GA was 1.24 (95% CI, 0.80, 1.76; I2: 83.6%) cases per 1,000 person-years. The rates of later diagnosis of IM and gastric dysplasia in patients with GA were estimated as 41.42 (95% CI, 3.11, 64.45; I2: 95.6%) and 6.23 (95% CI, 2.34, 11.46; I2: 83.0%) cases per 1,000 person-years, respectively. The pooled regressed proportion was 32.23 (95% CI, 18.07-48.02; I2: 94.0%) and the persistence proportion was 38.83 (95% CI, 20.20-59.13; I2: 97.0%) per 100 observations in GA patients. In IM studies, the pooled incidence rate of GC was 3.38 (95% CI, 2.13, 4.85; I2: 93.4%) cases per 1,000 person-years. The progressed rate to dysplasia in IM patient was estimated to be 12.51 (95% CI, 5.45, 22.03; I2: 95.1%) cases per 1,000 person-years. The pooled regressed proportion was 31.83 (95% CI, 25.48-38.51; I2: 91.0%) and the persistence proportion was 43.46 (95% CI, 32.52-54.71; I2: 96.0%) per 100 observations in IM patients.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the incidence of GC in patients with IM and GA are low but there is heterogeneity in data with the highest rate in Asian, males with those with incomplete IM. There is probability of regression or persistence without progression in patients with IM and GA who receive appropriate management.

Gastro-duodenal disease in Africa: Literature review and clinical data from Accra, Ghana

Gastroduodenal disease (GDD) was initially thought to be uncommon in Africa. Amongst others, lack of access to optimal health infrastructure and suspicion of conventional medicine resulted in the reported prevalence of GDD being significantly lower than that in other areas of the world. Following the increasing availability of flexible upper gastro-intestinal endoscopy, it has now become apparent that GDD, especially peptic ulcer disease (PUD), is prevalent across the continent of Africa. Recognised risk factors for gastric cancer (GCA) include Helicobater pylori (H. pylori), diet, Epstein-Barr virus infection and industrial chemical exposure, while those for PUD are H. pylori, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-use, smoking and alcohol consumption. Of these, H. pylori is generally accepted to be causally related to the development of atrophic gastritis (AG), intestinal metaplasia (IM), PUD and distal GCA. Here, we perform a systematic review of the patterns of GDD across Africa obtained with endoscopy, and complement the analysis with new data obtained on pre-malignant gastric his-topathological lesions in Accra, Ghana which was compared with previous data from Maputo, Mozambique. As there is a general lack of structured cohort studies in Africa, we also considered endoscopy-based hospital or tertiary centre studies of symptomatic individuals. In Africa, there is considerable heterogeneity in the prevalence of PUD with no clear geographical patterns. Furthermore, there are differences in PUD within-country despite universally endemic H. pylori infection. PUD is not uncommon in Africa. Most of the African tertiary-centre studies had higher prevalence of PUD when compared with similar studies in western countries. An additional intriguing observation is a recent, ongoing decline in PUD in some African countries where H. pylori infection is still high. One possible reason for the high, sustained prevalence of PUD may be the significant use of NSAIDs in local or over-the-counter preparations. The prevalence of AG and IM, were similar or modestly higher over rates in western countries but lower than those seen in Asia. . In our new data, sampling of 136 patients in Accra detected evidence of pre-malignant lesions (AG and/or IM) in 20 individuals (14.7%). Likewise, the prevalence of pre-malignant lesions, in a sample of 109 patients from Maputo, were 8.3% AG and 8.3% IM. While H. pylori is endemic in Africa, the observed prevalence for GCA is rather low. However, cancer data is drawn from country cancer registries that are not comprehensive due to considerable variation in the availability of efficient local cancer reporting systems, diagnostic health facilities and expertise. Validation of cases and their source as well as specificity of outcome definitions are not explicit in most studies further contributing to uncertainty about the precise incidence rates of GCA on the continent. We conclude that evidence is still lacking to support (or not) the African enigma theory due to inconsistencies in the data that indicate a particularly low incidence of GDD in African countries.

Long-term gastric cancer risk in male smokers with atrophic corpus gastritis

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term gastric cancer risk in male smokers with and without atrophic gastritis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 22,346 elderly male smokers participated in the Helsinki Gastritis Study between the years 1989 and 1993. Serum pepsinogen I (PGI) was measured for the men, and 2,132 men with low PGI (<25 µg/L; a marker of atrophic corpus gastritis) were invited to undergo gastroscopy because of increased gastric cancer risk. Endoscopy was performed to 1,327 men, who were followed up for a median of 13.6 years and a maximum of 25.3 years thereafter. In addition, the gastric cancer risk of men with low PGI was compared to that of the men with normal PGI and to the general Finnish male population of the same age.

RESULTS

Thirty-five cases of gastric cancer were diagnosed in men with gastroscopy during the follow-up. The incidence rate was 1.94 per 1000 patient years. The men with a history of gastric surgery (n = 180) due to a benign cause had even higher gastric cancer incidence (3.2 per 1000 patient-years). Gastric cancer risk was highest in men with marked intestinal metaplasia in primary biopsies. Compared to the general Finnish male population of the same age, the cancer risk was 1.13 times higher in male smokers with normal serum PGI, and 2.43 times higher in men with low serum PGI.

CONCLUSION

In male smokers, atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia increase the risk of gastric cancer.

Prevalence and determinants of serological evidence of atrophic gastritis among Arab and Jewish residents of Jerusalem: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

Understanding the correlates of premalignant gastric lesions is essential for gastric cancer prevention. We examined the prevalence and correlates of serological evidence of atrophic gastritis, a premalignant gastric condition, using serum pepsinogens (PGs) in two populations with differing trends in gastric cancer incidence.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study, using ELISA we measured serum PGI and PGII concentrations (Biohit, Finland), Helicobacter pylori serum IgG and cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) antigen IgG antibodies in archived sera of 692 Jews and 952 Arabs aged 25-78 years, randomly selected from Israel's population registry in age-sex and population strata. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Using cut-offs of PGI <30µg/L  or PGI:PGII <3.0, the prevalence of atrophic gastritis was higher among Arab than Jewish participants: 8.8% (95% CIs 7.2% to 10.8%) vs 5.9% (95% CI 4.4% to 7.9%), increasing with age in both groups (p<0.001 for trend). Among Jewish participants, infection with H. pylori CagA phenotype was positively related to atrophic gastritis: adjusted OR (aOR) 2.16 (95% CI 0.94 to 4.97), but not to non-CagA infections aOR 1.17 (95% CI 0.53 to 2.55). The opposite was found among Arabs: aOR 0.09 (95% CI 0.03 to 0.24) for CagA positive and aOR 0.15 (95% CI 0.06 to 0.41) for Cag A negative phenotypes (p<0.001 for interaction). Women had a higher atrophic gastritis prevalence than men. Obesity and smoking were not significantly related to atrophic gastritis; physical activity tended to be inversely associated in Arabs (p=0.08 for interaction).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of atrophic gastritis was higher among Arabs than Jews and was differently associated with the CagA phenotype.

Virulence factor genotyping of Helicobacter pylori isolated from Costa Rican dyspeptic patients

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Costa Rica is one of the countries with the highest incidence and mortality rates for gastric cancer. Helicobacter pylori infection rates are high in the whole country. We have previously shown that H. pylori CagA+ is significantly associated with atrophic gastritis (AG) of the antrum in a dyspeptic population. The aim of this work is to determine if other H. pylori virulence factors (vacA, dupA, oipA, iceA and babA2) are associated with atrophic gastritis (AG) or duodenal ulcer (DU).

METHODS

The presence of virulence genes in Costa Rican H. pylori isolates was analyzed by PCR in 151 cultured strains from patients with dyspeptic symptoms. Endoscopic and histopathological diagnoses were available. Odds-ratio and 95% confidence intervals for AG patients vs. non-atrophic gastritis (NAG) or DU patients vs. no duodenal ulcer (NDU) patients were calculated.

RESULTS

Amongst the studied isolates, 82% had the cagA⁺, 76.2% had the vacA s1m1, 97.0% had the oipA⁺, 21.0% had the icea1, 79.0% had the iceA2, 44.0% had the babA2⁺ and 76.0% the dupA⁺ genotypes. Infection with H pylori cagA⁺, dupA⁺, oipA⁺, iceA, babA2⁺, and vacA s1m1 genotypes was not associated with AG risk. The frequency of the dupA gene was 78.7 and 60.9% in isolates from patients with NDU and DU, respectively, and its presence was significantly associated with decreased risk of duodenal ulcer [odds-ratio: 0.33, p = 0.024, confidence interval 95% (0.11-0.85)].

CONCLUSION

H. pylori dupA genotype is inversely associated with DU risk in this population.

Occurrence and predictors of metaplastic atrophic gastritis in a nation-wide consecutive endoscopic population presenting with upper gastrointestinal symptoms

OBJECTIVES

The frequency of metaplastic atrophic gastritis in noninvestigated dyspepsia and its associated symptoms pattern are not known. This study aimed to assess the occurrence and clinical predictors of metaplastic atrophic gastritis in a consecutive endoscopic population presenting with upper gastrointestinal symptoms.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A post-hoc cross-sectional study was carried out on endoscopic-histological data from 668 patients (64% women, age: 58 years) with upper gastrointestinal symptoms obtained during a multicenter study. Patients with dyspeptic (46%), reflux-like symptoms (22%), and both (32%) as indications for gastroscopy were included. Gastroscopy with biopsies (Sydney System) was performed. Clinical data and symptoms were collected using a structured questionnaire.

RESULTS

Metaplastic atrophic gastritis was detected in 201 (30.1%) patients: 22.3% antrum-restricted, 4.5% corpus-restricted, and 3.3% extensive. Postprandial fullness was more frequent in patients with metaplastic atrophic gastritis compared with those without metaplastic atrophic gastritis (29.8 vs. 18.8%, P=0.002); epigastric pain/burning, early satiety, and reflux symptoms occurred similarly in both groups. At multivariate logistic regression, metaplastic atrophic gastritis (any site) was associated with age older than 55 years [odds ratio (OR): 1.86, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.26-2.73], Helicobacter pylori (OR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.1-2.39), postprandial fullness (OR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.03-2.54), and smoking (OR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.02-2.31). Corpus-restricted atrophic gastritis was associated with postprandial fullness (OR: 4.16, 95% CI: 1.79-9.63) and NSAIDs (OR: 2.98, 95% CI: 1.01-8.88), extensive and antrum-restricted atrophic gastritis was associated with age older than 55 (OR 3.6, 95% CI: 1.20-12.67 and OR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.06-2.49).

CONCLUSION

Metaplastic atrophic gastritis, a preneoplastic condition, may be found in about one of three patients undergoing endoscopy for upper gastrointestinal symptoms, and clinical predictors are age older than 55 years, smoking, H. pylori infection, and postprandial fullness, especially for corpus-restricted metaplastic atrophic gastritis. An accurate pre-endoscopic characterization of patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms with easily achievable clinical information may help to better address an endoscopic investigation.

Characteristics of overlooked synchronous gastric epithelial neoplasia after endoscopic submucosal dissection

Since endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been accepted as the treatment of choice for early gastric cancer (EGC) without risk of lymph node metastasis, synchronous gastric epithelial neoplasia is no longer rare in the clinical practice. Knowledge about the characteristics associated with synchronous gastric epithelial neoplasia is of great importance to prevent delayed diagnosis.Between November 2008 and December 2014, a retrospective study was conducted in a single tertiary referral hospital. Consecutive patients who underwent ESD due to EGC or high-grade dysplasia were analyzed to evaluate the incidence of synchronous gastric epithelial neoplasia and the factors associated with synchronous and overlooked synchronous lesions.A total of 488 patients were analyzed in this study. Synchronous lesions were found in 59 patients (12.1%) during the mean 37.7 months of follow-up. Among 77 synchronous lesions, 25 lesions (32.4%) were overlooked at the time of initial ESD. Age of ≥ 65 years, moderate to severe endoscopic atrophic gastritis, and elevated morphology of primary lesions were associated with synchronous gastric epithelial neoplasia. An important factor associated with overlooked lesions is the non-elevated morphology of lesions.Careful endoscopic examination of the whole stomach is necessary in patients who are older and who have moderate to severe atrophic gastritis and elevated morphology of lesions to prevent delayed diagnosis of synchronous gastric epithelial neoplasia, especially non-elevated lesions.

Factors associated with the presentation of erosive esophagitis symptoms in health checkup subjects: A prospective, multicenter cohort study

BACKGROUND

We aimed to clarify the factors associated with the presentation of erosive esophagitis (EE) symptoms in subjects undergoing health checkups.

METHODS

We utilized baseline data from 7,552 subjects who underwent upper endoscopy for health screening in a prospective, multicenter cohort study. The subjects were asked to complete a questionnaire detailing their upper abdominal symptoms and lifestyle. Based on the heartburn and/or acid regurgitation frequency, the EE subjects were stratified into the following three groups: (1) at least one day a week (symptomatic EE [sEE]), (2) less than one day a week (mild symptomatic EE [msEE]), and (3) never (asymptomatic EE [aEE]). Postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) and epigastric pain syndrome (EPS) were defined according to the Rome III criteria.

RESULTS

Of the 1,262 (16.7%) subjects (male 83.8%, mean age 52.6 years) with EE, the proportions of sEE, msEE and aEE were 15.0%, 37.2% and 47.9%, respectively. The sEE group showed significant associations with overlapping EPS (OR: 58.4, 95% CI: 25.2-160.0), overlapping PDS (OR: 9.96, 95% CI: 3.91-26.8), severe hiatal hernia (OR: 2.43, 95% CI: 1.43-4.05), experiencing high levels of stress (OR: 2.20, 95% CI: 1.43-3.40), atrophic gastritis (OR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.03-2.36) and Los Angeles (LA) grade B or worse (OR: 1.72, 95% CI: 1.12-2.60) in the multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately one-sixth of EE subjects were symptomatic. A multifactorial etiology, including factors unrelated to gastric acid secretion, was associated with the symptom presentation of EE subjects.

Family history of gastric mucosal abnormality and the risk of gastric cancer: a population-based observational study

Background

An increased prevalence of gastric premalignant abnormalities was reported among relatives of gastric cancer (GC) patients, with rather unexplored clinical significance.

Methods

In Swedish computerized pathology registers, we identified, as 'index' persons, 232 681 patients who were born after 1931 and underwent endoscopic examination with stomach biopsy between 1979 and 2014. Through linkage with the Multi-Generation Register, we compiled a cohort consisting of 903 337 first-degree relatives of these biopsied patients. The relatives were grouped according to their 'family histories', defined as the first gastric mucosal diagnosis of the index person or GC family history known before that. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) provided comparisons with the matched general population. For internal comparisons with relatives with 'normal/minor changes' mucosal family history, hazard ratios (HRs) were derived from adjusted Cox regression modelling.

Results

During follow-up, 1302 relatives developed GC. Crude incidence rates of non-cardia GC were 7.7 × 10-5 year-1 for the 'normal/minor changes' family history group (SIR = 1.0), 11.2 to 12.6 × 10-5 year-1 for precancerous changes groups (atrophic gastritis/intestinal metaplasia/dysplasia, SIR = 1.5 to 1.6), and 18.4 × 10-5 year-1 for those with a family history of GC (SIR = 2.3). HRs derived from Cox models corroborated the family history-related risk pattern, with the most conspicuous trend observed among siblings-a family history of any precancerous changes and GC was associated with, respectively, a 2.5-fold and a 3.8-fold increment in non-cardia GC hazard, compared with siblings of index persons with 'normal/minor mucosal changes'.

Conclusions

The precancerous mucosal abnormalities recorded in a person's first-degree relatives may improve GC risk stratification for this person.

Impact of SNP-SNP interactions of DNA repair gene ERCC5 and metabolic gene GSTP1 on gastric cancer/atrophic gastritis risk in a Chinese population

AIM

To investigate the interactions of the DNA repair gene excision repair cross complementing group 5 (ERCC5) and the metabolic gene glutathione S-transferase pi 1 (GSTP1) and their effects on atrophic gastritis (AG) and gastric cancer (GC) risk.

METHODS

Seven ERCC5 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs1047768, rs2094258, rs2228959, rs4150291, rs4150383, rs751402, and rs873601) and GSTP1 SNP rs1695 were detected using the Sequenom MassARRAY platform in 450 GC patients, 634 AG cases, and 621 healthy control subjects in a Chinese population.

RESULTS

Two pairwise combinations (ERCC5 rs2094258 and rs873601 with GSTP1 rs1695) influenced AG risk (P_interaction = 0.008 and 0.043, respectively), and the ERCC5 rs2094258-GSTP1 rs1695 SNP pair demonstrated an antagonistic effect, while ERCC5 rs873601-GSTP1 rs1695 showed a synergistic effect on AG risk OR = 0.51 and 1.79, respectively). No pairwise combinations were observed in relation to GC risk. There were no cumulative effects among the pairwise interactions (ERCC5 rs2094258 and rs873601 with GSTP1 rs1695) on AG susceptibility (P_trend > 0.05). When the modification effect of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection was evaluated, the cumulative effect of one of the aforementioned pairwise interactions (ERCC5 rs873601-GSTP1 rs1695) was associated with an increased AG risk in the case of negative H. pylori status (P_trend = 0.043).

CONCLUSION

There is a multifarious interaction between the DNA repair gene ERCC5 SNPs (rs2094258 and rs873601) and the metabolic gene GSTP1 rs1695, which may form the basis for various inter-individual susceptibilities to AG.

Helicobacter pylori infection, atrophic gastritis, and pancreatic cancer risk: A meta-analysis of prospective epidemiologic studies

BACKGROUND

To investigate the associations of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection and atrophic gastritis (AG) with pancreatic cancer risk.

METHODS

A literature search in PubMed was performed up to July 2017. Only prospective cohort and nested case-control studies enrolling cancer-free participants were eligible. Incident pancreatic cancer cases were ascertained during the follow-up. The risks of pancreatic cancer were compared between persons infected and noninfected with Hp, or between those with and without AG status at baseline. Odds ratios (ORs) or hazard ratios were combined. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed, and publication bias was estimated.

RESULTS

Three cohort studies and 6 nested case-control studies, including 65,155 observations, were analyzed. The meta-analyses did not confirm the association between pancreatic cancer risk and Hp infection (OR = 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.81-1.47) or AG status (OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 0.80-1.72). However, particular subpopulations potentially had increased risks of pancreatic cancer. Cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA)-negative strains of Hp might be a causative factor of pancreatic cancer (OR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.05-1.62), but a sensitivity analysis by leave-one-out method did not fully warrant it (OR = 1.20, 95% CI = 0.93-1.56). In 1 nested case-control study, AG at stomach corpus in Hp-negative subpopulation might have increased risk of pancreatic cancer, but with a poor test power = 0.56. Publication biases were nonsignificant in the present meta-analysis.

CONCLUSION

Based on current prospective epidemiologic studies, the linkage of pancreatic cancer to Hp infection or AG status was not warranted on the whole. Nevertheless, prospective studies only focusing on those specific subpopulations are further required to obtain better power.

Significance of dormant forms of Helicobacter pylori in ulcerogenesis

Nearly half of the global population are carriers of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a Gram-negative bacterium that persists in the healthy human stomach. H. pylori can be a pathogen and causes development of peptic ulcer disease in a certain state of the macroorganism. It is well established that H. pylori infection is the main cause of chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer disease (PUD). Decontamination of the gastric mucosa with various antibiotics leads to H. pylori elimination and longer remission in this disease. However, the reasons for repeated detection of H. pylori in recurrent PUD after its successful eradication remain unclear. The reason for the redetection of H. pylori in recurrent PUD can be either reinfection or ineffective anti-Helicobacter therapy. The administration of antibacterial drugs can lead not only to the emergence of resistant strains of microorganisms, but also contribute to the conversion of H. pylori into the resting (dormant) state. The dormant forms of H. pylori have been shown to play a potential role in the development of relapses of PUD. The paper discusses morphological H. pylori forms, such as S-shaped, C-shaped, U-shaped, and coccoid ones. The authors proposes the classification of H. pylori according to its morphological forms and viability.

Helicobacter pylori infection, chronic corpus atrophic gastritis and pancreatic cancer risk in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort: A nested case-control study

The association between H. pylori infection and pancreatic cancer risk remains controversial. We conducted a nested case-control study with 448 pancreatic cancer cases and their individually matched control subjects, based on the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort, to determine whether there was an altered pancreatic cancer risk associated with H. pylori infection and chronic corpus atrophic gastritis. Conditional logistic regression models were applied to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusted for matching factors and other potential confounders. Our results showed that pancreatic cancer risk was neither associated with H. pylori seropositivity (OR = 0.96; 95% CI: 0.70, 1.31) nor CagA seropositivity (OR = 1.07; 95% CI: 0.77, 1.48). We also did not find any excess risk among individuals seropositive for H. pylori but seronegative for CagA, compared with the group seronegative for both antibodies (OR = 0.94; 95% CI: 0.63, 1.38). However, we found that chronic corpus atrophic gastritis was non-significantly associated with an increased pancreatic cancer risk (OR = 1.35; 95% CI: 0.77, 2.37), and although based on small numbers, the excess risk was particularly marked among individuals seronegative for both H. pylori and CagA (OR = 5.66; 95% CI: 1.59, 20.19, p value for interaction < 0.01). Our findings provided evidence supporting the null association between H. pylori infection and pancreatic cancer risk in western European populations. However, the suggested association between chronic corpus atrophic gastritis and pancreatic cancer risk warrants independent verification in future studies, and, if confirmed, further studies on the underlying mechanisms.

Gastric precancerous conditions and Helicobacter pylori infection in dyspeptic patients with or without endoscopic lesions

OBJECTIVE

In dyspeptic patients, esophagogastroduodenoscopy is often negative for visible lesions. Biopsies of the normal-appearing mucosa for Helicobacter pylori detection are not routinely obtained. Diagnostic gain of routine biopsies is still debated. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of H. pylori infection and related gastric premalignant conditions in dyspeptic patients without visible lesions at esophagogastroduodenoscopy and whether the presence/absence of endoscopically visible lesions may address the endoscopist to obtain gastric biopsies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Post hoc study on endoscopic-histological data from 589 patients with dyspepsia (median age 57 years) obtained during a prospective nationwide study. Patients with dyspepsia as indication for esophagogastroduodenoscopy, never treated for H. pylori, were included. All the patients underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy with biopsies according to Sydney system. Clinical data were collected using a structured questionnaire.

RESULTS

In 66.4% patients, the gastricduodenal mucosa appeared normal at esophagogastroduodenoscopy. In patients with or without visible lesions at esophagogastroduodenoscopy, H. pylori infection (51.5% vs. 50.1%, p = 0.82) and atrophic-metaplastic gastritis (33.3% vs. 27.6%, p = 0.18) were similar. Endoscopically visible lesions were poor predictors for H. pylori infection or gastric precancerous conditions showing positive and negative predictive values of 51.5% and 49.8% for H. pylori and 33.3% and 72.3% for atrophic-metaplastic gastritis. At logistic regression, the presence of H. pylori infection showed a negative association with ongoing antisecretory treatment (OR: 0.67), the presence of visible gastroduodenal lesions was not associated.

CONCLUSIONS

Dyspeptic patients with or without visible endoscopic lesions had the same occurrence of H. pylori infection and related premalignant conditions, which might be missed without biopsies, in particular, in patients on anti-secretory treatment.

Current Perspectives on Gastric Cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) is third leading cause of cancer-related death. Only 28.3% of new GC cases survive more than 5 years. Although incidence has declined in the United States, an increase is estimated for 2016. Risk factors include sex (risk is higher in men), Helicobacter pylori infection, heredity, and lifestyle. GC is usually diagnosed between the ages of 60-80 years. Prognosis of GC is largely dependent on the tumor stage at diagnosis and classification as intestinal or diffuse type; diffuse-type GC has worse prognosis. Chemoprevention has been shown to decrease risk, but is currently not used clinically.

Prevalence of H. pylori Infection and Atrophic Gastritis in a Population-based Screening with Serum Biomarker Panel (GastroPanel®) in St. Petersburg

BACKGROUND/AIM

Russian Federation is among the high-incidence countries for gastric cancer (GC), with the incidence being projected to continue increasing. Using a non-invasive blood test with four stomach-specific biomarkers (pepsinogen-I (PG-I) and -II (PG-II), amidated gastrin-17 (G-17) and Helicobacter pylori (HP) IgG antibodies) in a hospital-based screening setting, we aimed to determine the prevalence of GC risk conditions: HP-infection and atrophic gastritis (AG).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A population-derived cohort of 918 asymptomatic subjects (646 women and 272 men) with a mean age of 51.8 years (range=26-83) was examined with the GastroPanel® (GP) test. GP results were verified by gastroscopy and biopsies (the Updated Sydney System (USS) classification for all test-positive AG cases and for random 5% test-negatives (n=263) to correct for the verification bias.

RESULTS

Of the 918 subjects, only 199 (21.7%) tested completely normal, while 76.7% (704/918) had HP-infection. Altogether, in 99 subjects (10.8%), GP suggested AG: atrophic gastritis in the antrum (AGA) (n=21), atrophic gastritis in the corpus (AGC) (n=69) or atrophic pangastritis (AGpan) (n=9). The overall concordance between GP and USS classification was 82.5% (217/263) with weighted kappa intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC)=0.875 (95% confidence interval (CI)=0.840-0.901). The sensitivity/specificity balance in receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for PG-I as a marker of moderate/severe AGC (AGC2+) had area under the curve (AUC)=0.895 (95%CI=0.837-0.953). Using the AGC2+ end-point, verification bias-corrected specificity of PGI reached 96.4% (95%CI=94.7-97.9) and that of PGI/PGII ratio 94.6% (95%CI=92.6-96.3), with inevitable erosion in sensitivities.

CONCLUSION

While capable of detecting the subjects at risk for GC (HP and/or AG), GP should be the cost-effective means to break the current ominous trend in GC incidence in Russian Federation.

PREVALENCE AND PECULIARITY OF CORPUS ATROPHIC GASTRITIS IN POPULATION WITH HIGH LEVEL OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTION

BACKGROUND

Corpus atrophic gastritis (CAG) maybe the outcome of Helicobocterpylori (U pylon) - infection or autoimmune damage of the parietal system, affecting the risk of gastric cancer and requiring different approaches in the treatment and observation.

AIM

To study the prevalence and peculiarity of CAG in population with, high prevalence of H.pylori infection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Prevalence of CAG was studied in the representative group of Novosibirsk citizens (246 subjects aged 45-69,117 males and 129 females) using serology for noninvasive testing of gastritis phenotype Gastro-Panel. Pepsinogen I (Pgl) level < 30 pg/I and/or Pgl/Pgil ratio c 3.0 were interpreted as sever atrophy. In addition, a clinical group with serologically proven corpus atrophy was studied: 39 females and 8 males aged 38-79. Upper endoscopy and morpholojical examination was performed in 38 patients. As a pilot project, in 19 patients with suspicion on autoimmune gastritis (AIG) (low Pgl + high Gastrin-17) parietal cells antibodies (PCA) and vitamin B12 level were determined.

CONCLUSION

In Novosibirsk population prevalence of both H.pylori infection and CAG (10.2%) is high. AIG is often associated with H.pylori infection (in 47.4% of cases); however, its role demands a further evaluation. Autoimmune phenotype of gastritis which was found using noninvasive diagnostic was confIrmed with the presence of PCA. In all cases ofAIG atrophy was confirmed morphologically with the presence of intestinal metaplasia in 52.6% and ~ysplasia in 10.5% of cases.

Clinical management of patients with gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms associated with chronic atrophic gastritis: a retrospective, multicentre study

To provide data regarding clinical presentation, pathological features, management, and response to different treatments of patients with type I gastric neuroendocrine tumors in stages 0-2A. The study design consist of an Italian multicentre, retrospective analysis of patients with type I gastric neuroendocrine tumors managed with different therapeutic approaches: surgery, endoscopic surveillance, endoscopic resection, or somatostatin analog therapy. Among the 97 patients included, 3 underwent surgery, 45 (46.4%) radical endoscopic resection of the neoplastic lesions, 13 (13.4%) follow-up with upper endoscopy, and 36 (37.1%) somatostatin analog therapy. At the end of the follow-up, all patients were alive and there was no evidence of metastatic disease. Somatostatin analog therapy resulted in a complete response in 76.0% of the patients and stable disease in 24.0%. A prolonged period of therapy, the use of a full dose of somatostatin analogs and higher gastrin levels at diagnosis were related to a complete response to the therapy. The recurrence rate was 26.3% in patients treated with somatostatin analog therapy and 26.2% in patients treated with endoscopic resection, without a statistically significant difference in terms of disease-free survival. Regarding recurrence of the disease, no statistical difference was found according to type of therapy, number of neoplastic lesions, and 2010 WHO classification. The only risk factor for tumor recurrence was a short period of medical treatment. In conclusion, our study suggested that endoscopic surveillance, endoscopic resection and somatostatin analog therapy represent valid options in the management of patients with type I gastric neuroendocrine tumors in stages 0-2A.

[Acid related diseases--comparison between western countries and Japan]

Acid related diseases in Japan has changed during the past 50 years. Previously the prevalence of peptic ulcer, especially gastric ulcer was the most common acid related disease, and now reflux esophagitis is the most common diasease. Among peptic ulcer disease, the prevalence of drug-induced bleeding peptic ulcer is increasing. On the other hand, the prevalence of atrophic gastritis and gastric cancer is decreasing, because the infection rate of Helicobacter pylori had been decreasing, the eradication therapy for Helicobacter pylori is now popular, and the lifestyle has westernized. In the western countries, the same changes have happened during the long history.

Thyro-gastric autoimmunity in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer: a prospective study

Thyro-gastric autoimmunity has not been previously evaluated in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), although its long-term complications may be relevant for the management of DTC patients. We assessed the prevalence of gastric autoimmunity and autoimmune gastritis (AG) in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and concomitant DTC. Prevalence of parietal cell antibody (PCA) positivity, iron deficiency anemia (IDA), and pernicious anemia (PA) were prospectively assessed in 150 DTC patients referred for radioiodine ablation after total thyroidectomy. Patients were classified as HT (n = 31) and non-HT (n = 119) based on a combination of serological, ultrasonographic, and histological findings. Patients with PCA positivity were subsequently addressed to endoscopy for confirmation of atrophy body gastritis, required for the diagnosis of AG. For all the variables under study, a comparison between groups was made using Fisher's exact test and appropriate parametric and non-parametric tests. PCA positivity was significantly more prevalent in HT than in non-HT patients (12.9 vs 1.6 %, p = 0.017). After Hp eradication, a reversal of PCA positivity was observed in 3/4 patients in the HT group. IDA and PA did not differ significantly between groups. In the HT group, only one patient had endoscopical confirmation of mild gastric corporal atrophy. Gastric autoimmunity shows higher prevalence in patients with DTC and concomitant HT than in patients with DTC alone; however, in most cases, PCA positivity was associated with Hp infection. Furthermore, although previous reports found up to one-third of patients with HT to have associated AG, in our cohort AG was extremely rare.

Helicobacter pylori and precancerous conditions of the stomach: the frequency of infection in a cross-sectional study of 79 consecutive patients with chronic antral gastritis in Yaoundé, Cameroon

INTRODUCTION

The study aimed at determining the different types of precancerous conditions of the stomach and searches the frequency of Helicobacter pylori in these lesions in patients with chronic antral gastritis in Yaounde, Cameroon.

METHODS

Five gastric biopsies were performed during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for pathology and fixed in formol 10% before being coated in paraffin. Both the modified Giemsa and Periodic acid of Shift - Alkaline blue stains were used for the histological diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection. Hematoxylyn and eosin stain was used to determine the activity of gastritis, atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia in accordance to the Sydney's classification of gastritis. Data were analysed using both the Epi info 6.04 and Excel 2007 softwares. Means and their standard deviations, medians and their interquartiles (IQR) were calculated. Proportions were established for qualitative variables and chi square analysis done in this study with a p value set at 0.05.

RESULTS

Seventy-nine patients with chronic antral gastritis were enrolled, of which 43 (54.4%) were male, median age: 43 years (range from 21 to 70 years). The rate of atrophic gastritis was 74.7% (59/79). The activity of atrophic gastritis was mild in 47.5% (28/59) of cases, moderate in 47.5% (28/59) and severe in 5% (5/59). Intestinal metaplasia and follicular gastritis were present in 6.3% (5/79), and 10.1% (8/79), respectively. Concerning Helicobacter pylori infection, 71.2% (42/59) of patients with atrophic gastritis tested positive against 28.8% (17/59) who tested negative (p=0.00003). Helicobacter pylori infection was related to the severity of gastric atrophy (p=0.0001). Among patients with intestinal metaplasia and follicular gastritis, the proportion of those who tested positive for Helicobacter pylori infection was 80% (4/5), and 75% (6/8), respectively. There were no significant differences in the occurrence of atrophic gastritis according to age groups (p=0.908).

CONCLUSION

This study concludes that atrophic gastritis, which is most often caused by Helicobacter pylori, is the most frequent precancerous condition of stomach in Cameroon. Routine gastric sampling for pathologic analysis is mandatory for effective diagnosis and surveillance of Helicobacter pylori infection and precancerous conditions of the stomach.

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection and atrophic gastritis in patients with dyspeptic symptoms in Myanmar

AIM: To survey the detailed analyses for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and gastric mucosal status in Myanmar.

METHODS: A total of 252 volunteers with dyspeptic symptoms (155 female and 97 male; mean age of 43.6 ± 14.2 years) was participated in Yangon and Mandalay. The status of H. pylori infection was determined based on 5 different tests including rapid urease test, culture, histology, immunohistochemistry and serology. Histological scores were evaluated according to the update Sydney system and the Operative Link for Gastritis Assessment system. Pepsinogen (PG) I and PG II were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

RESULTS: The overall prevalence of H. pylori infection was 48.0%. There was no relationship between age and infection rate. Even in young group (less than 29 years old), the H. pylori infection rate was relatively high (41.9%). The prevalence of H. pylori infection was significantly higher in Yangon than that of Mandalay. H. pylori infection was significantly associated with the presence of gastric mucosal atrophy. All 7 subjects with peptic ulcer were infected with H. pylori. Although H. pylori-positive subjects showed stronger gastritis than H. pylori-negative subjects, most cases had mild gastritis.

CONCLUSION: We revealed the prevalence of H. pylori infection in patients with dyspeptic symptoms in Myanmar. The H. pylori infection was a risk factor for peptic ulcer and stronger gastritis.

[ANALYSIS OF THE RESULTS OF ENDOSCOPIC AND MORPHOLOGICAL STUDIES OF THE STOMACH MUCOSA WITH REDUCED PEPSINOGEN-I IN PATIENTS WITH H. PYLORI (H.P.)--ASSOCIATED GASTRITIS IN TOMSK AND TOMSK REGION]

AIM OF INVESTIGATION

To explore and describe the endoscopic picture of HP--associated atrophic gastritis and to analyze the specificity of endoscopic markers indicating the presence of atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia using high-tech methods of endoscopy in comparison with morphological characteristics of atrophic gastritis defining the degree of activity and stage of atrophic gastritis according to the system OLGA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

40 people: males and females aged 40 to 70 years with a reduced level of pepsinogen I and a positive titre of antibodies to H. pylori in serum--were included into the study.

THE RESULTS

Risk groups with atrophic gastritis based on indicators of pepsinogen 1 were formed. Endoscopic picture of H. Pylori--associated atrophic gastritis in patients with reduced level of pepsinogen I in serum is studied and described. Analysis of the specificity of endoscopic markers indicating the presence of AG, intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia using high-tech methods of endoscopy (endoscopy with high resolution, magnifying endoscopy, chromoendoscopy and narrow band imaging endoscopy (NBI) is made. Analysis of their sensitivity in comparison with the results of morphological studies of biopsy material is made.

CONCLUSION

Thus, these studies show that high-resolution endoscopy in combination with magnification and chromoendoscopy allows accurately identify areas of atrophy, intestinal.Narrow band imaging endoscopy (NBI) provides a detailed picture of the vascular pattern of tissues, pattern changes typical for pathological areas of inflammatory genesis, as well as for precancers and early cancers. All these methods have high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of HP-associated atrophic gastritis in comparison with the results of morphological studies of biopsy materials of stomach mucosa.