Association between hiatal hernia and Barrett's esophagus: an updated meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis.

Background: Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a precursor of esophageal adenocarcinoma. It is critical to recognize the risk factors associated with BE. Objectives: The present meta-analysis aims to systematically estimate the association of hiatal hernia with the risk of BE. Design: A meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis. Data sources and methods: The PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) and adjusted ORs (aORs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for the combined estimation of unadjusted data and data adjusted for confounders, respectively. Heterogeneity was quantified using the Cochrane Q test and I² statistics. Subgroup, meta-regression, and leave-one-out sensitivity analyses were employed to explore the sources of heterogeneity. Results: Forty-seven studies with 131,517 participants were included. Based on the unadjusted data from 47 studies, hiatal hernia was significantly associated with an increased risk of any length BE (OR = 3.91, 95% CI = 3.31-4.62, p < 0.001). The heterogeneity was significant (I² = 77%; p < 0.001) and the definition of controls (p = 0.014) might be a potential contributor to heterogeneity. Based on the adjusted data from 14 studies, this positive association remained (aOR = 3.26, 95% CI = 2.44-4.35, p < 0.001). The heterogeneity was also significant (I² = 65%; p < 0.001). Meta-analysis of seven studies demonstrated that hiatal hernia was significantly associated with an increased risk of long-segment BE (LSBE) (OR = 10.01, 95% CI = 4.16-24.06, p < 0.001). The heterogeneity was significant (I² = 78%; p < 0.001). Meta-analysis of seven studies also demonstrated that hiatal hernia was significantly associated with an increased risk of short-segment BE (OR = 2.76, 95% CI = 2.05-3.71, p < 0.001). The heterogeneity was not significant (I² = 30%; p = 0.201). Conclusion: Hiatal hernia should be a significant risk factor for BE, especially LSBE. Registration: PROSPERO registration number CRD42022367376.

Association of C-type lectin-like receptor 2 and galectin-1 with portal vein system thrombosis in HBV-related liver cirrhosis.

Background and aims: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the most common cause of liver cirrhosis. Portal venous system thrombosis (PVST) is a major complication of liver cirrhosis. Recently, it has been shown that C-type lectin-like receptor 2 (CLEC-2) and galectin-1 participate in the activation and aggregation of platelets, thereby promoting the development of thrombosis. This cross-sectional study aims to evaluate the association of serum CLEC-2 and galectin-1 levels with PVST in patients with HBV-related liver cirrhosis. Methods: Overall, 65 patients with HBV-related liver cirrhosis were included, of whom 23 had PVST and 42 did not have. Serum CLEC-2 and galectin-1 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. PVST was assessed by contrast-enhanced computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging scans. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to the degree and location of PVST. Results: Patients with PVST had significantly higher serum CLEC-2 (p = 0.006) and galectin-1 (p = 0.009) levels than those without. Patients with partial/complete PVST or fibrotic cord (p = 0.007; p = 0.002), but not those with mural PVST (p = 0.199; p = 0.797), had significantly higher serum CLEC-2 and galectin-1 levels than those without PVST. Patients with superior mesenteric vein thrombosis had significantly higher serum CLEC-2 (p = 0.013) and galectin-1 (p = 0.025) levels than those without PVST. Patients with main portal vein thrombosis had higher serum CLEC-2 (p = 0.020) and galectin-1 (p = 0.066) levels than those without PVST, but the difference in serum galectin-1 level was not significant between them. Conclusion: Serum CLEC-2 and galectin-1 levels may be associated with the presence of PVST in HBV-related cirrhotic patients, but this association should be dependent upon the degree of PVST.

Effects of postoperative use of proton pump inhibitors on gastrointestinal bleeding after endoscopic variceal treatment during hospitalization.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic variceal treatment (EVT) is recommended as the mainstay choice for the management of high-risk gastroesophageal varices and acute variceal bleeding in liver cirrhosis. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are widely used for various gastric acid-related diseases. However, the effects of PPIs on the development of post-EVT complications, especially gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB), remain controversial. AIM: To evaluate the effects of postoperative use of PPIs on post-EVT complications in patients with liver cirrhosis during hospitalization. METHODS: Patients with a diagnosis of liver cirrhosis who were admitted to the Department of Gastroenterology of the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, treated by an attending physician between January 2016 and June 2020 and underwent EVT during their hospitalization were included. Logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the effects of postoperative use of PPIs on the development of post-EVT complications during hospitalization. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 143 patients were included. The incidence of post-EVT GIB and other post-EVT complications was 4.90% and 46.85%, respectively. In the overall analyses, postoperative use of PPIs did not significantly reduce the risk of post-EVT GIB (OR = 0.525, 95%CI = 0.113-2.438, P = 0.411) or other post-EVT complications (OR = 0.804, 95%CI = 0.413-1.565, P = 0.522). In the subgroup analyses according to the enrollment period, type and route of PPIs after the index EVT, use of PPIs before the index EVT, use of vasoactive drugs after the index EVT, indication of EVT (prophylactic and therapeutic), and presence of portal venous system thrombosis, ascites, and hepatocellular carcinoma, the effects of postoperative use of PPIs on the risk of post-EVT GIB or other post-EVT complications remain not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Routine use of PPIs after EVT should not be recommended in patients with liver cirrhosis for the prevention of post-EVT complications during hospitalization.

Relationship of Helicobacter pylori Infection with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Meta-Analysis.

Background and Aims: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have become increasingly recognized, both of which affect human health globally. The association of H. pylori infection with NAFLD remains unclear. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched. Only a random-effects model was used. Odds ratios (ORs) and risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for the combined estimates of raw data. Adjusted ORs (aORs) and hazard ratios (aHRs) with 95% CIs were calculated for the combined estimates of data adjusted for confounders. Results: Thirty-four studies with 218573 participants were included. Based on unadjusted data from 26 cross-sectional studies and 3 case-control studies, H. pylori infection was significantly associated with the presence of NAFLD (OR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.17-1.36, P < 0.001). Based on adjusted data from 15 cross-sectional studies and 1 case-control study, H. pylori infection was significantly associated with the presence of NAFLD (aOR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.08-1.44, P < 0.001). Compared with control subjects without NAFLD, patients with moderate (OR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.17-2.39, P = 0.005) and severe (OR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.30-2.24, P < 0.001) NAFLD, but not those with mild NAFLD (OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 0.9-1.45, P = 0.286), had significantly higher proportions of H. pylori infection. The association of H. pylori infection with the occurrence of NAFLD was statistically significant based on adjusted data from 3 cohort studies (aHR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.05-1.34, P = 0.007), but not based on unadjusted data from 3 cohort studies (RR = 1.41, 95% CI = 0.80-2.48, P = 0.237). Conclusion: H. pylori infection is associated with NAFLD, especially moderate and severe NAFLD. The impact of H. pylori eradication on the prevention of NAFLD should be further explored.

Association of Barrett's esophagus with Helicobacter pylori infection: a meta-analysis.

Background and Aims: Barrett's esophagus (BE) is the only recognized precursor for esophageal adenocarcinoma. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a major contributing factor towards upper gastrointestinal diseases, but its relationship with BE remains controversial. Some previous studies suggested that H. pylori infection negatively correlated with BE, while others did not. This may be attributed to the difference in the selection of control groups among studies. The present meta-analysis aims to clarify their association by combining all available data from well-designed studies. Methods: The PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled by a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the Cochran's Q test and I 2 statistics. Meta-regression, subgroup, and leave-one-out sensitivity analyses were employed to explore the sources of heterogeneity. Results: Twenty-four studies with 1,354,369 participants were included. Meta-analysis found that patients with BE had a significantly lower prevalence of H. pylori infection than those without (OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.45-0.64; p < 0.001). The heterogeneity was statistically significant (I² = 79%; p < 0.001). Meta-regression, subgroup, and leave-one-out sensitivity analyses did not find any source of heterogeneity. Meta-analysis of 7 studies demonstrated that CagA-positive H. pylori infection inversely correlated with BE (OR = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.15-0.44; p = 0.000), but not CagA-negative H. pylori infection (OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 0.90-1.67; p = 0.206). Meta-analysis of 4 studies also demonstrated that H. pylori infection inversely correlated with LSBE (OR = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.18-0.86; p = 0.019), but not SSBE (OR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.30-1.77; p = 0.484). Conclusion: H. pylori infection negatively correlates with BE. More experimental studies should be necessary to elucidate the potential mechanisms in future.

Impact of insufficient doses of medications on Helicobacter pylori eradication: a retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The doses of medications may influence the success of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication. This real-world observational study aimed to explore the impact of insufficient doses of medications prescribed for the bismuth-containing quadruple therapy (BQT) regimen on successful H. pylori eradication. METHODS: We retrospectively screened the patients who were diagnosed with H. pylori infection and received BQT regimens for H. pylori eradication at our department between January 2017 and July 2020. The rate of successful H. pylori eradication was compared according to the doses of medications prescribed. Standard doses were defined according to the clinical guidelines. RESULTS: Overall, 1054 patients were included. The rate of successful H. pylori eradication was 78.2% (824/1054). Among them, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and antibiotics were prescribed at insufficient doses in 37.0% (390/1054) and 6.7% (71/1054) of patients, respectively. Furthermore, pantoprazole (98.7% [385/390]) was the most common type of PPIs prescribed at insufficient doses, and nitroimidazoles (85.9% [61/71]) were the most common type of antibiotics prescribed at insufficient doses. Among the patients receiving colloidal bismuth pectin (CBP) (200 mg tid) and standard-dose antibiotics, the rate of successful H. pylori eradication was lower in insufficient-dose PPIs group than standard-dose PPIs group (78.1% [271/347] versus 82.6% [438/530], P = 0.095). Among the patients receiving CBP (200 mg tid) and standard-dose PPIs, the rate of successful H. pylori eradication was significantly lower in insufficient-dose antibiotics group than standard-dose antibiotics group (37.8% [14/37] versus 82.6% [438/530], P < 0.0001). Among the patients receiving CBP 200 mg tid, the rate of successful H. pylori eradication was significantly lower in patients receiving both PPIs and antibiotics at insufficient doses than those at standard doses (46.4% [13/28] versus 82.6% [438/530], P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Among the BQT regimens, PPIs and/or antibiotics, especially pantoprazole and metronidazole, are often prescribed at insufficient doses, compromising the success of H. pylori eradication. ABBREVIATIONS: H. pylori, Helicobacter pylori; UBT, urea breath test; DPM, disintegrations per minute; BQT, bismuth-containing quadruple therapy; PPI, proton pump inhibitor; CBP, colloidal bismuth pectin; qd, once daily; bid, twice daily; tid, three times daily; qid, four times daily.

Erratum: Chemopreventive effect of 4'-hydroxychalcone on intestinal tumorigenesis in ApcMin mice.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.12474.].

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Military Personnel from Northeast China: A Cross-Sectional Study.

PURPOSE: Helicobacter pylori infection is an important cause of peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer. Current knowledge regarding epidemiology of H. pylori infection in military personnel has insufficiently been updated. This cross-sectional study aimed to estimate the prevalence of H. pylori infection in military personnel and to compare the prevalences in military and civilian groups. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled the subjects who underwent 14C-urea breath tests at the Department of Gastroenterology of the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command between January 2017 and July 2020. Subjects were divided into military and civilian groups. H. pylori infection and major endoscopic findings were reviewed. RESULTS: Overall, 23,496 subjects were eligible, including 2282 subjects in the military group and 21,214 subjects in the civilian group. In the overall analysis, the prevalence of H. pylori infection was not significantly different between military and civilian groups (33.9% versus 34.4%, P=0.592). In the population aged 17-25 years, the prevalence of H. pylori infection was significantly higher in the military group than in the civilian group (35.6% versus 25.9%, P=0.001). Both 14C-UBT and endoscopy were performed in 547 inpatients, including 83 military inpatients and 464 civilian inpatients. There was a significantly higher prevalence of H. pylori in inpatients with peptic ulcer and/or gastric cancer than in those without (65.5% versus 41.4%, P=0.001). CONCLUSION: Among the adolescent population, H. pylori infection may be more common in military personnel as compared to the civilians. Well-designed prospective studies should be required to validate such a high prevalence and to explain its potential causes.

Chemopreventive effect of 4'-hydroxychalcone on intestinal tumorigenesis in ApcMin mice.

Chalcones and its derivatives are reported to exhibit anti-cancer effects in several cancer cell lines, including colon cancer cells. However, the in vivo anticancer effects and associated mechanisms of chalcones against intestinal tumorigenesis currently remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the chemopreventive effect of a chalcone derivative, 4'-hydroxychalcone (4-HC), in a transgenic adenomatous polyposis coli multiple intestinal neoplasia mouse model (ApcMin) of spontaneous intestinal adenomas. ApcMin mice were fed 4-HC (10 mg/kg/day) or the vehicle control by oral gavage starting at 8 weeks of age, and were sacrificed at 20 weeks. The administration of 4-HC significantly decreased the number of colon adenomas by 45% and the size of colon adenomas by 35% compared with the respective controls. Similarly, the number of adenomas in the distal small intestine (DSI) and proximal small intestine also decreased by 35 and 33%, respectively, in 4-HC-treated mice, and adenoma size in the DSI decreased by 39% compared with the respective controls. Treatment with 4-HC strongly decreased proliferation in colon and DSI adenomas, as detected by immunofluorescence staining with the proliferation marker protein Ki-67, and promoted apoptosis in colon adenomas, as detected by TUNEL immunofluorescence staining. In addition, decreased mRNA expression of ß-catenin target genes, including c-Myc, Axin2 and CD44, in colon adenomas of 4-HC-treated animals demonstrated the involvement of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway in the initiation and progression of colon neoplasms. Treatment with 4-HC also decreased the protein levels of ß-catenin in colon adenomas, as demonstrated by immunofluorescence staining. The results suggested that 4-HC may be a promising candidate for the chemoprevention of intestinal tumorigenesis, and further investigations are required to evaluate its clinical utility.