Endoscopic Gastric Mucosal Atrophy Research Articles

Risk Factors for Mucosal Redness in the Duodenal Bulb as Detected via Linked Color Imaging.

Linked color imaging (LCI) for image-enhanced endoscopy (IEE) highlights mucosal color differences. We investigated risk factors associated with mucosal redness of the duodenal bulb using LCI. Consecutive patients were retrospectively selected after their duodenal bulbs were observed via LCI. A symptom questionnaire (Izumo scale) was completed. The LCI of the duodenal bulb was subjectively evaluated on whether redness was present and objectively evaluated based on L* a* b* color values. The clinical characteristics of the 302 study participants were: male/female, 120/182; mean age, 70.9 years. Twenty-one cases (7.0%) were in the redness (+) group. After multiple regression analysis, independent predictors for the red component (a*) of the duodenal bulb using LCI were: age (β = -0.154, p < 0.01), female (β = -0.129, p < 0.05), body mass index (BMI; β = -0.136, p < 0.05), Helicobacter pylori eradication (β = 0.137, p < 0.05), endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy score (EGAS; β = -0.149, p < 0.05), and constipation-related quality of life (QOL) (β = -0.122, p < 0.05) scores. Lower age, lower BMI, lower EGAS, a constipation-related QOL score, post-H. pylori eradication, and being male were associated with mucosal redness in the duodenal bulb with IEE using LCI.

Non-atrophic gastric mucosa is an independently associated factor for superficial non-ampullary duodenal epithelial tumors: a multicenter, matched, case-control study.

The etiology of superficial non-ampullary duodenal epithelial tumors (SNADETs) remains unclear. Recent studies have reported conflicting associations between duodenal tumor development and Helicobacter pylori infection or endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy. As such, the present study aimed to clarify the relationship between SNADETs and H. pylori infection and/or endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy. This retrospective case-control study reviewed data from 177 consecutive patients with SNADETs who underwent endoscopic or surgical resection at seven institutions in Japan over a three-year period. The prevalence of endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy and the status of H. pylori infection were compared in 531 sex- and age-matched controls selected from screening endoscopies at two of the seven participating institutions. For H. pylori infection, 85 of 177 (48.0%) patients exhibited SNADETs and 112 of 531 (21.1%) control patients were non-infected (p<0.001). Non-atrophic mucosa (C0 to C1) was observed in 96 of 177 (54.2%) patients with SNADETs and 112 of 531 (21.1%) control patients (p<0.001). Conditional logistic regression analysis revealed that non-atrophic gastric mucosa was an independent risk factor for SNADETs (odds ratio, 5.10; 95% confidence interval, 2.44-8.40; p<0.001). Non-atrophic gastric mucosa, regardless of H. pylori infection status, was a factor independently associated with SNADETs.

Association of dietary patterns and endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy in an adult Chinese population

Atrophy gastritis harbor a high risk for the development of dysplasia and gastric cancer. The study investigated the relationships of specific dietary patterns and endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy. In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 574 consecutive outpatients who were diagnosed as chronic gastritis according to endoscopic examination. Dietary intakes of study individuals was assessed using the semi-quantitative food group frequency questionnaire. Logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between dietary patterns and endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy adjusted for potential confounders. A total of 574 participants were included, 286 with endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy. Three dietary patterns were identified by factor analysis. “Alcohol and fish” (tertile 1 vs. tertile 3: adjusted odds ratio = 1.85, 95% confidence interval: 1.06–3.22) and “coarse cereals” (tertile 1 vs. tertile 3: adjusted odds ratio = 2.05, 95% confidence interval: 1.24–3.39) were associated with an increased risk for endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy but a “traditional” pattern was not. Dietary pattern was not associated with gastric mucosal atrophy in women or in participants with H. pylori infection. A high adherence to both “Alcohol and Fish” and “Coarse cereals” dietary patterns seem to be associated with higher odds of endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy in men and in patients without H. pylori infection. Further prospective cohort studies needed to confirm these findings.

246 Helicobacter pylori Infection Increases the Risk of Colorectal Polyps: A Large Scale Case-Control Study

INTRODUCTION: Persistent Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection begins during childhood and can cause peptic ulcers and gastric cancer. It can also cause extra-gastric organ disease, including idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Although some studies have indicated a correlation between H. pylori infection and the risk of colorectal neoplasms, these findings have not been consistent and are controversial. This case-control study aimed to investigate the association between H. pylori-associated endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy (GMA) and colorectal polyp occurrence. METHODS: Records of 7394 participants who underwent colonoscopy examinations from August 2008 to July 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. Saved images of endoscopic examinations were used to evaluate the colorectal polyps and GMA. Adjusted odds ratios for predictors of colorectal polyps were computed by using the multiple logistic regression model. RESULTS: A total of 2404 subjects were registered; 1565 (65.1%) were in the GMA-positive group and 1138 (47.3%) had colorectal polyps. The multivariate analysis adjusted by age, sex, smoking habits, alcohol habits, serum lipid levels, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), blood pressure, and body mass index indicated that patients in the GMA-positive group more frequently had colorectal polyps compared with patients in the GMA-negative group (odds ratio [OR], 3.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.68–4.01; P &lt; 0.001). An analysis of the association between GMA degree and colorectal polyp status indicated that, compared with mild GMA, severe GMA was associated with a higher risk of proximal colon polyps (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.05–2.07; P = 0.024) and two or more colorectal polyps (OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.30–2.49; P &lt; 0.001). CONCLUSION: Colonoscopy examination is useful for discovering colorectal disease, including polyps; however, the examination is more burdensome than esophagogastroduodenoscopy for patients because of the required preparation and invasiveness. This study showed H. pylori-associated GMA found during endoscopy indicated an increased risk for colorectal polyps. Moreover, it also showed severe GMA indicated risks for proximal colon polyps and multiple polyps. These results allow physicians to recommend colonoscopy examinations for specific patients.

Evaluation of symptomatic reflux esophagitis in proton pump inhibitor users.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate symptomatic reflux esophagitis (RE) in proton pump inhibitor (PPI) users. The present study conducted a hospital-based, retrospective cross-sectional study of consecutive RE cases in PPI users at Juntendo University Hospital recruited between 2008 and 2016. Eligible patients were PPI users with a complete patient profile, who completed the Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (FSSG) questionnaire, and who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for the examination of RE, hiatal hernia (HH) and endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy (EGA). The patients with RE who were administered PPIs were divided into two groups: Those with symptomatic RE (FSSG≥8) and those with non-symptomatic RE (FSSG<8). The present study investigated the risk factors for symptomatic RE among the patients with RE patients who were administered PPIs. Of the 13,052 cases who underwent patient profiling, the FSSG questionnaire and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, a total of 2,444 PPI users were eligible. Of the PPI users, 206 cases (8.4%) had RE. Among the 206 patients with RE, 115 (55.8%) had symptomatic RE. The profile of the symptomatic and non-symptomatic RE groups were as follows: A total of 45 females (39.1%) vs. 32 females (35.2%; non-significant); mean ± standard deviation age, 54.8±13.5 vs. 62.9±11.1 years (P<0.01); mean body mass index, 23.5±3.3 vs. 23.2±3.8 (non-significant); severe RE, 12 (10.4%) vs. 2 (2.2%; P<0.05); HH, 70 (60.9%) vs. 40 (44.0%; P<0.05); and mean score of EGA, 1.2±1.8 vs. 1.8±2.1 (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that a younger age [odds ratio (OR)=0.94; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.92-0.97, P<0.01] and HH(+) (OR=2.37; 95% CI: 1.30-4.34, P<0.01) were associated with symptomatic RE among patients with RE who were administered PPIs. In conclusion, a younger age and HH were associated with symptomatic RE in patients with RE who were administered PPIs.

Endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy as a predictor of colorectal polyps: a large scale case-control study.

Although some studies have indicated a correlation between Helicobacter pylori infection and the risk of colorectal neoplasms, these findings have not been consistent and are controversial. This case-control study aimed to investigate the association between endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy and colorectal polyp occurrence. Records of 7,394 participants who underwent colonoscopy examinations from August 2008 to July 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. A total of 2,404 subjects were registered; 1,565 (65.1%) were in the gastric mucosal atrophy-positive group and 1,138 (47.3%) had colorectal polyps. The multivariate analysis adjusted by age, sex, smoking habits, alcohol habits, hemoglobin A1c, and systolic blood pressure indicated that patients in the gastric mucosal atrophy-positive group more frequently had colorectal polyps compared with patients in the gastric mucosal atrophy-negative group (odds ratio, 3.27; 95% confidence interval, 2.68-4.01; p<0.001). An analysis of the association between gastric mucosal atrophy degree and colorectal polyp status indicated that, compared with mild gastric mucosal atrophy, severe gastric mucosal atrophy was associated with a higher risk of proximal colon polyps (odds ratio, 1.47; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-2.07; p=0.024) and two or more colorectal polyps (odds ratio, 1.80; 95% confidence interval, 1.30-2.49; p<0.001). In conclusion, gastric mucosal atrophy found during esophagogastroduodenoscopy may be an indication for complete colon screening.

Successful Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy improves symptoms of chronic constipation.

Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal functional disorders. Recently, the gut microbiota has been implicated in the development of constipation. Helicobacter pylori infection is considered to be a possible factor influencing the gut microbiota profile. Here, we investigated the effect of H.pylori eradication therapy on symptoms of chronic constipation. We recruited 166 H pylori-positive patients who underwent eradication therapy after endoscopy. We evaluated the severity of symptoms of chronic constipation before eradication therapy and 2months post-therapy using two questionnaires, the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) and the Izumo scale. In addition, we evaluated association with constipation and H.pylori infection in patients with constipation-related symptoms in not only all patients, but also patients with the constipation-related symptoms in relation to eradication outcome, the severity of constipation-related symptoms, and the severity of endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy. Mean GSRS scores were 5.10±2.67 in all patients and 6.15±2.91 in constipation patients which were significantly lower than that before eradication (5.78±3.27, P<0.01 and 8.19±3.09, P<0.01, respectively). Constipation-related scores of the GSRS questionnaire in the successful eradication group were significantly improved after eradication from 5.63±3.06 in all patients and 8.00±2.85 in constipation patients to 5.11±2.71 (P=0.02) and 6.16±2.96 (P<0.01), while scores in the failed eradication group before and after eradication were similar. Constipation-related scores in patients with mild gastric atrophy (Kimura-Takemoto classification, C-I to O-I) were significantly decreased after eradication, but were not decreased in patients with severe atrophy (O-II and O-III). Successful eradication therapy for H.pylori infection may confer additional benefits in H.pylori-positive patients with symptoms of chronic constipation, especially in patients with mild gastric atrophy.

Mo1173 Two Distinct Characteristics of Superficial Esophagogastric Junction Cancers From the Viewpoint of Endoscopic Gastric Mucosal Atrophy

Mo1173 Two Distinct Characteristics of Superficial Esophagogastric Junction Cancers From the Viewpoint of Endoscopic Gastric Mucosal Atrophy

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

Western studies have suggested two distinct etiologies of esophagogastric junction (EGJ) cancer: Helicobacter pylori-associated atrophic gastritis and non-atrophic gastric mucosa resembling esophageal adenocarcinoma. The present study investigated whether endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy can distinguish between these two types of EGJ adenocarcinoma. Data were collected from patients with Siewert type II, T1 EGJ adenocarcinoma who underwent endoscopic or surgical resection at eight Japanese institutions in 2010-2015. Clinicopathological characteristics of EGJ cancers with and without endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy were compared. EGJ was defined as the lower end of the palisade vein and/or the top of the gastric folds. Of the 229 patients identified, 161 had endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy and 68 did not. The latter group was younger (64 vs 70years, P=0.000); had a higher proportion of patients negative for H.pylori (90% vs 47%, P<0.0001); and had higher rates of gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms (43% vs 12%, P=0.017), mucosal breaks (25% vs 15%, P=0.009), Barrett's esophagus (BE, 78% vs 42%, P<0.0001), and tumors above the EGJ (81% vs 19%, P<0.0001) and on the upper-right side (74% vs 38%, P<0.0001) than the former group. Multivariate analysis showed that H.pylori positivity (odds ratio [OR]=13.0, P<0.001), long-segment BE (OR=0.025, P=0.033), and longitudinal (OR=8.6, P=0.001) and circumferential (OR=4.7, P=0.006) tumor locations were independently associated with gastric mucosal atrophy. Two distinct types of EGJ cancer were identified, with and without endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy. These types were associated with different tumor locations.

Association of medications for lifestyle-related diseases with reflux esophagitis

BackgroundBecause of a change in lifestyle, especially adoption of westernized eating habits, lifestyle-related diseases have become increasingly prevalent. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of medications for lifestyle-related diseases with reflux esophagitis (RE).MethodsWe conducted a hospital-based, cross-sectional retrospective study of consecutive outpatients who received an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in our department from February 2008 to November 2014, which was performed by one specialist who was a member of the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society. We investigated the patient profile, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection status, medications for lifestyle-related diseases (including calcium channel blockers, statins, and bisphosphonates), and upper gastrointestinal endoscopic findings (RE, hiatal hernia, Barrett’s mucosa, and endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy [EGA]). Patients with gastrectomy, peptic ulcer disease, gastric or esophageal malignant disease, and those who used proton pump inhibitors or histamine-2 receptor antagonists were excluded. We divided the subjects into a group without RE (RE(−)) and a RE (RE(+)) group as judged by endoscopy, and investigated the risk factors for RE.ResultsOf 1,744 consecutive cases, 590 cases (300 males and 290 females; mean age 60.5±13.2 years) were eligible. RE(−) and RE(+) cases numbered 507 and 83, respectively. Bivariate analysis showed significant positive associations of RE with male sex, body mass index (BMI), calcium channel blockers, Barrett’s mucosa, hiatal hernia and negative associations of RE with H. pylori positivity, EGA. Multivariate analysis showed significant positive associations of RE with BMI (odds ratio [OR]: 1.20, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.10–1.29), use of calcium channel blockers (OR: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.16–3.87), Barrett’s mucosa (OR: 2.97, 95% CI: 01.64–5.38), hiatal hernia (OR: 3.13, 95% CI: 1.79–5.47) and negative associations of RE with H. pylori positivity (OR: 0.20, 95% CI: 0.07–0.57), use of statins (OR: 0.42, 95% CI: 0.18–0.96), and EGA (OR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.70–0.98).ConclusionCalcium channel blockers were positively associated with RE and statins were negatively associated with RE, while bisphosphonates were not associated with RE.

Severity of Gastric Mucosal Atrophy Is the Major Determinant of Plasma Ghrelin Level in Hemodialysis Patients

Background: Ghrelin, an orexigenic hormone, has multiple favorable functions including protein anabolism enhancement, anti-inflammatory actions, and cardiovascular protection. A low plasma ghrelin level is associated with increased mortality in patients treated with hemodialysis (HD). However, it is unclear whether the plasma ghrelin level in HD patients correlates with the severity of gastric mucosal atrophy and Helicobacter pylori status. Methods: Seventy-eight maintenance HD patients and 51 non-dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease were evaluated for severity of gastric mucosal atrophy by gastroduodenoscopy and for H. pylori status using an anti-H. pylori-antibody and rapid urease test. Plasma acyl and des-acyl ghrelin levels were measured and their associations with relevant clinical parameters were investigated. Results: Des-acyl ghrelin level in HD patients was significantly higher than that in patients with kidney function preserved. Although acyl and des-acyl ghrelin levels were similar between current H. pylori positive and negative HD patients, both levels decreased significantly with the progress of endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy in HD patients. Serum pepsinogen (PG) I level and PG I/II ratio decreased significantly according to the severity of atrophy in HD patients and positively significantly correlated with both ghrelin levels. Multiple regression analysis showed significant positive correlations between acyl ghrelin and PG I levels (β = 0.738, p < 0.001) and significant negative correlations between ghrelin and age, albumin, and creatinine levels. Conclusions: Gastric atrophy is the major determinant of ghrelin level in HD patients. Management practices, such as H. pylori eradication, before advanced atrophy may be required to prevent the decrease of ghrelin levels and improve the prognosis of HD patients.

Risk factors for osteoporosis in Japan: is it associated with Helicobacter pylori?

BackgroundA number of diseases and drugs may influence bone mineral density; however, there are few reports concerning the relationship between lifestyle-related diseases and osteoporosis in Japan as determined by multivariate analysis. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for osteoporosis and whether infection by or eradication of Helicobacter pylori is associated with osteoporosis.MethodsBetween February 2008 and November 2014, using a cross-sectional study design, we investigated patient profile (age, sex, BMI, alcohol, smoking), H. pylori infection status, comorbidities, internal medicine therapeutic agents (calcium channel blocker, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, proton pump inhibitor), serum parameters (Hb, calcium, γGTP), bone turn over markers (bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and collagen type I cross-linked N telopeptide (NTX), findings on dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, and Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of GERD score in consecutive outpatients aged ≥50 years at our hospital. We divided the subjects into an osteoporosis group and a non-osteoporosis group and investigated risk factors for osteoporosis between the two groups by bivariate and multivariate analyses.ResultsOf the 255 eligible study subjects, 43 (16.9%) had osteoporosis. Bivariate analysis showed that advanced age, female sex, lower body mass index, lower cumulative alcohol intake, lower Brinkman index, H. pylori positivity, lower hemoglobin, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, lower prevalence of hiatal hernia, and endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy were related to osteoporosis. Multivariate analysis showed that advanced age (odds ratio [OR] 1.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07–1.19, P<0.001), female sex (OR 6.27, 95% CI 2.26–17.39, P<0.001), low BMI (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.72–0.94, P=0.005), H. pylori positivity (OR 3.00, 95% CI 1.31–6.88, P=0.009), and BAP (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.01–1.14, P=0.035) were related to osteoporosis.ConclusionAdvanced age, low BMI, BAP, and H. pylori positivity were risk factors for osteoporosis; however, the success of H. pylori eradication was not a risk factor for osteoporosis in Japan.

CLINICAL APPLICATION OF L-MENTHOL IN THE UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL ENDOSCOPIC PROCEDURE.

Peppermint oil, which suppresses gastric peristalsis during esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), is effective for determining the margin of a gastric tumor. This study was conducted to evaluate the utility of an L-menthol preparation for suppressing gastric peristalsis and for diagnosing gastric tumors. The study examined 124 patients who underwent EGD between January and April 2012. After 20 mL of 0.8% L-menthol was sprayed directly onto the mucosal surface of the gastric antrum, the degree of peristalsis suppression in the antrum was evaluated. The effectiveness of L-menthol for identifying new gastric tumors and determining tumor margins was also evaluated. Gastric peristalsis was suppressed in 88.5% (69/78) of patients, with complete suppression of peristalsis achieved in 78.2%. L-menthol exerted a higher peristalsis-suppressive effect in patients with endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy (93.3%, 56/60) than in patients without atrophy (72.2%, 13/18) (p = .014). L-menthol application caused the detection of new gastric tumors in 1.6% (2/124) of patients and clarification of the margin of three lesions (in 3 patients) identified as having an unclear margin before L-menthol application. These results suggest that L-menthol is effective for suppressing gastric peristalsis during EGD and suggest that it is useful for identifying gastric tumors and for determining tumor margins.

The Relationship between H. pylori Infection and Osteoporosis in Japan.

Background and Objective. H. pylori infection causes a chronic inflammation in the gastric mucosa. However, this local inflammation may result in extra-digestive conditions. Our aim is to investigate the relationship between H. pylori infection and osteoporosis in Japan. Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted among outpatients at the Juntendo University Hospital between 2008 and 2014. Participants for patient profile, H. pylori infection status, comorbidity, internal medical therapies, lumbar dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and bone turnover marker were collected and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for reflux esophagitis, hiatal hernia, peptic ulcer disease (PUD), and endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy (EGA) was performed. The diagnosis of osteoporosis was performed in accordance with the Japanese criteria. We investigated risk factors of osteoporosis. Results. Of the eligible 200 study subjects, 41 cases were of osteoporosis. Bivariate analysis showed that age, being female, BMI, alcohol, smoking, H. pylori, bone-specific ALP, PUD, and EGA were related to osteoporosis. Multivariate analysis showed that age (OR 1.13; 95%CI 1.07–1.20), being female (OR 4.77; 95%CI 1.78–12.77), BMI (OR 0.79; 95%CI 0.68–0.92), H. pylori (OR 5.33; 95%CI 1.73–16.42), and PUD (OR 4.98; 95%CI 1.51–16.45) were related to osteoporosis. Conclusions. H. pylori infection may be a risk factor of osteoporosis in Japan.

False Sero-Negative Results for Helicobacter Pylori Infection Indicate Increased Risk of Severe Atrophic Gastritis in Japanese Patients

Background/objective: H. pylori infection is commonly diagnosed using an anti-H. pylori IgG antibody test. However, a proportion of results are falsely sero-negative. We investigated characteristics of patients falsely seronegative for H. pylori in relation to gastric atrophy. Methods: H. pylori infection (Hp+ or Hp-) was determined based on culture test, rapid urease test (RUT), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test in 280 outpatients. Anti-H. pylori antibody titers ≥ 10 U/ml were diagnosed as sero-positive for H. pylori (IgG+), while those <10 U/ml were sero-negative (IgG-). Serum pepsinogen (PG) I/PG II ratios were calculated as a serological marker of gastric atrophy. Endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy was also assessed according to the Kimura-Takemoto classification system. Results: The mean PG I/PG II ratio in each group was as follows: Hp-/IgG- (4.99 ± 1.04, n=10), Hp+/IgG+ (2.59 ± 1.51, n=240), Hp-/IgG+ (5.65 ± 2.72, n=4) and Hp+/IgG- (3.02 ± 2.61, n=26). The mean serum PG I/PG II ratio in the Hp+/IgG- group was lower than those of Hp-/IgG- and Hp-/IgG+ groups (P=0.028 and 0.072). Incidence of severe gastric mucosal atrophy in the Hp+/IgG- group was highest of the four groups. Conclusions: Individuals falsely sero-negative for H. pylori infection is at increased risk of severe atrophic gastritis, which is well known as precancerous lesion.

Low-dose aspirin-associated upper gastric and duodenal ulcers in Japanese patients with no previous history of peptic ulcers

BackgroundLong-term administration of low-dose aspirin (LDA) is associated with a greater risk of adverse events, including gastroduodenal ulcers. The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors for and assess the role of medication use in the development of peptic ulcer disease in Japanese patients with no history of peptic ulcers.MethodsConsecutive outpatients receiving LDA (75 mg/day) who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy between January and December 2010 were enrolled. Clinical parameters, peptic ulcer history, concomitant drugs, the presence of Helicobacter pylori infection, reason for endoscopy, and endoscopic findings were analysed.ResultsOf 226 total patients, 14 (6.2%) were endoscopically diagnosed with peptic ulcer. Age, sex, current smoking status, current alcohol consumption, endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy, and abdominal symptoms were not significantly associated with peptic ulcers. Diabetes mellitus was more frequent (42.9% vs. 16.5%; P = 0.024) in patients with peptic ulcers than in those without peptic ulcers. Using multiple logistic regression analysis, co-treatment with anticoagulants or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) was significantly associated with increased and decreased risk for peptic ulcer, respectively (odds ratio [OR], 5.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.19 − 28.99; P = 0.03 and OR, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.02 − 0.73; P = 0.02, respectively). Co-treatment with additional antiplatelet agents, H2-receptor antagonists, angiotensin II Type 1 receptor blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitor, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs was not associated with peptic ulcer development.ConclusionThe use of PPIs reduces the risk of developing gastric or duodenal ulcers in Japanese patients taking LDA without pre-existing gastroduodenal ulcers. However, this risk is significantly increased in both patients ingesting anticoagulants and patients with diabetes. These results may help identify patients who require intensive prophylaxis against aspirin-induced peptic ulcers.

Su1612 Dynamics of Aquaporin-4 in Gastric Parietal Cells in the Hyperplastic Gastric Fundic Mucosa of Histamine Type 2 Receptor Knockout Mice

G A A b st ra ct s subjects and on the same day (n=5). Second, we evaluated the reproducibility under a different set of conditions using the same examiner, the same subjects, but on different days (n=5). Finally, we evaluated pH profile in the upper GI tract and the differences between patients taking proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and those taking H2 blocker. Results: Satisfactory data could be obtained from all patients without any complications. First, the reproducibility coefficient of each pH value by this method was 0.91 [95%CI (CI): 0.89-0.99, P < 0.01] (different examiner, same subjects and same day, n=5) and 0.83 (95%CI: 0.59-0.98, P < 0.01) (same examiner, same subjects and different days, n=5). Based on the above study results, we concluded that this method has high reproducibility. As to the intra-luminal pH profile, pH in duodenum was strictly controlled more compared to other sites. The pH profile in the stomach of patients taking PPI was significantly higher than those taking H2 blocker in patients with no endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy (Fig.1), while there were no significantly differences in moderate to severe endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy (Fig. 2). Conclusions: We have established a new method for assessing intra-luminal pH at 8 sites from esophagus to duodenum at one time in daily practice.

Impact of Helicobacter pylori CagA diversity on gastric mucosal damage: An immunohistochemical study of East‐Asian‐type CagA

Recently, we successfully produced an anti-East-Asian-type CagA-specific antibody called α-EAS Ab, which is specifically immunoreactive only with East-Asian-type CagA but not Western-type CagA. In this study, the correlations between Helicobacter pylori CagA protein diversity and gastric mucosal condition was investigated using immunohistochemical staining with α-EAS Ab in Japan. There were 254 H. pylori-positive patients enrolled in this study. α-EAS Ab was used to determine the CagA phenotype instead of cagA sequencing, and, moreover, the histological findings and endoscopic gastric mucosal condition were evaluated according to the updated Sydney System and the Kimura-Takemoto classification system, respectively. A total of 224 (88.2%) of the patients were immunoreactive for α-EAS Ab. The remaining 30 (11.8%) were negative for α-EAS Ab, suggesting that they were infected with either Western-type CagA or CagA-negative strains (i.e. non-East-Asian-type CagA strains). The grades of activity of gastritis, mucosal atrophy and intestinal metaplasia according to the updated Sydney System were significantly higher in patients infected with East-Asian-type CagA strains than those infected with non-East-Asian-type CagA strains. The grade of endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy evaluated using the Kimura-Takemoto classification system was similar. All 28 strains isolated from patients with gastric cancer possessed the East-Asian-type CagA. Infection with East-Asian-type CagA H. pylori was more closely associated with gastric mucosal atrophy and gastric cancer than infection with non-East-Asian-type CagA H. pylori. The efficiency of immunohistochemical analysis for CagA should be equivalent to that of cagA sequencing.

Characteristics of gastritis in patients with Helicobacter pylori‐positive reflux esophagitis

The influence of Helicobacter pylori on gastric acid secretion differs with the status of gastritis. The histological characteristics of gastritis in H. pylori-positive patients with reflux esophagitis have not been fully investigated. We therefore studied the pattern of endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy and degree of histological gastritis in such patients. Subjects comprised 41 H. pylori-positive patients with reflux esophagitis, 41 age- and sex-matched patients with duodenal ulcer, and 41 patients with early gastric cancer. The endoscopic pattern of gastric mucosal atrophy was reviewed, and the degree of histological gastritis in biopsy specimens from the antrum and corpus was assessed in accordance with the updated Sydney system. The grade of endoscopic and histological gastric mucosal atrophy in patients with reflux esophagitis was significantly lower than that in patients with gastric cancer, and the histological scores for antral atrophy and metaplasia in patients with reflux esophagitis tended to be lower than those in patients with duodenal ulcer. In patients with reflux esophagitis and duodenal ulcer, the scores for antral inflammation and activity tended to be higher than those for the corpus. Conversely, the inflammation and activity score in patients with early gastric cancer showed a corpus-predominant gastritis pattern. In H. pylori-positive patients with reflux esophagitis, the degree of endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy is low and histologically there is an antral-predominant gastritis pattern. Therefore, gastric acid secretion in H. pylori-positive patients with reflux esophagitis may be augmented by H. pylori infection.