Risk stratification of synchronous gastric cancers including alcohol-related genetic polymorphisms.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: We previously identified that ever-smoking and severe gastric atrophy in pepsinogen are risk factors for synchronous gastric cancers (SGCs). This study aimed to determine the association of alcohol drinking status or alcohol-related genetic polymorphism with SGCs and also stratify their risk. METHODS: This multi-center prospective cohort study included patients who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection for the initial early gastric cancers at 22 institutions in Japan. We evaluated the association of alcohol drinking status or alcohol dehydrogenase 1B (ADH1B) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) genotypes with SGCs. We then stratified the risk of SGCs by combining prespecified two factors and risk factors identified in this study. RESULTS: Among 802 patients, 130 had SGCs. Both the ADH1B Arg and ALDH2 Lys alleles demonstrated a significant association with SGCs on multivariate analysis (odds ratio, 1.77), although alcohol drinking status showed no association. The rates of SGCs in 0-3 risk factors in the combined evaluation of three risk factors (ever-smoking, severe gastric atrophy in pepsinogen, and both the ADH1B Arg and ALDH2 Lys alleles) were 7.6%, 15.0%, 22.0%, and 32.1%, respectively. The risk significantly increased from 0 to 3 risk factors on multivariate analysis (P for trend <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Both the ADH1B Arg and ALDH2 Lys alleles were at high risk for SGCs. The risk stratification by these three factors may be a less invasive and promising tool for predicting their risk.

Smoking history and severe atrophic gastritis assessed by pepsinogen are risk factors for the prevalence of synchronous gastric cancers in patients with gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection: a multicenter prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: No studies have evaluated the relationship between lifestyle and synchronous gastric cancers (SGCs) in patients with endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early gastric cancers (EGCs). Using data from the Tohoku gastrointestinal (GI) study, we aimed to identify factors associated with SGCs. METHODS: Tohoku GI study is a multicenter prospective cohort study investigating the relationship between lifestyle and metachronous gastric cancers. Patients who had a schedule to undergo ESD for primary EGCs were enrolled. We used logistic regression analysis to examine the relationship of 15 candidate factors, including lifestyle, with the prevalence of SGCs in this study. RESULTS: Of 850 patients between 2016 and 2019, 16.0% (136 patients) had SGCs. In multivariate analysis, smoking history (odds ratio [OR], 1.93; p = 0.048) and severe atrophic gastritis assessed by pepsinogen (OR, 1.92; p = 0.004) were risk factors for the prevalence of SGCs. Regarding smoking, current smoking (OR, 2.33; p = 0.021), but not former smoking (OR, 1.76; p = 0.098), was a significant risk factor for its prevalence. In the stratified analysis, severe atrophic gastritis assessed by pepsinogen was a risk factor in patients without Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication (OR, 2.10; p = 0.002), but not a risk factor in those with H. pylori eradication (OR, 0.75; p = 0.737). CONCLUSION: Smoking history was a risk factor for the prevalence of SGCs in patients with ESD for EGCs, and severe atrophic gastritis assessed by pepsinogen was also a risk factor when H. pylori was not eradicated.

[A case of invasive intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma arising from jejunal heterotopic pancreas].

Intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma (IPMC) arising from the heterotopic pancreas is rare. A case of IPMC metastasis from the jejunal heterotopic pancreas was described. The heterotopic pancreas could be the source of the submucosal tumor-like lesion found in the small intestine with an elevated carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 level. A 60-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with pulmonary thromboembolism and anemia. The level of CA19-9, a tumor marker, was found to be 211.8U/ml. A tumor in the jejunum was discovered using contrast-enhanced computed tomography. There were also a number of hepatic tumors found. A submucosal tumor-like lesion in the jejunum was discovered during an enteroscopy, and a biopsy revealed it to be an adenocarcinoma. Partial resection of the jejunum was performed to control hemorrhage. Histopathology revealed an invasive IPMC arising from a heterotopic pancreas (Heinrich type II) and chemotherapy with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel was initiated. There have only been three cases of invasive IPMC from a heterotopic pancreas reported, and this is the first one to include chemotherapeutic treatment of distant metastasis.

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

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

The Ameliorating Effect of Switching to Vonoprazan: A Novel Potassium-Competitive Acid Blocker in Patients with Proton Pump Inhibitor Refractory Non-Erosive Reflux Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Weakly acidic reflux has been reported to be the major cause of symptoms in patients with proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-refractory nonerosive reflux disease (NERD) undergoing PPI treatment. We previously reported that reflux at pH 4-5 was the main factor that induced symptoms in such patients. The present study aimed to elucidate the symptom-ameliorating effect of vonoprazan (VPZ) by evaluating the change in the pH value of the refluxate using multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH (MII-pH) monitoring. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the records of MII-pH monitoring in 29 symptom index (SI) and/or symptom association probability (SAP)-positive patients with PPI-refractory NERD. After switching to VPZ 20 mg/day, we performed MII-pH monitoring again. We assessed the change in the score of the frequency scale for the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (FSSG), the pH value of the refluxate, and the percent times of intragastric pH <4 or <5 before and after switching. We divided the patients into the following 2 groups according to the FSSG score after switching: effective and noneffective groups. RESULTS: Among of the 29 SI/SAP-positive patients, 16 underwent switching to VPZ. Furthermore, of these 16 patients, 10 underwent MII-pH monitoring again after switching. The FSSG score decreased, the pH value of the refluxate increased, and the percent times of intragastric pH <4 or <5 reduced after switching when compared with the findings before switching. In the effective group, both the proportion of reflux at pH <4 and that of reflux at pH 4-5 decreased while taking VPZ when compared with the findings while taking double-dose PPI. In the noneffective group, the proportion of reflux at pH <4 decreased but that of reflux at pH 4-5 increased and that of reflux at pH <5 did not change overall while taking VPZ. In addition, the percent times of intragastric pH <5 values were low in the effective group. CONCLUSION: Symptom suppression appears to be inadequate in patients with persistent reflux at pH 4-5 even with VPZ 20 mg/day. Strong acid suppressive therapy with VPZ to increase the pH value of the refluxate to ≥5 is useful for symptom improvement.

Impaired Mucosal Integrity in Proximal Esophagus Is Involved in Development of Proton Pump Inhibitor-Refractory Nonerosive Reflux Disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Weakly acidic reflux reaching to the proximal esophagus is closely related to the perception of gastroesophageal reflux in patients with nonerosive reflux disease despite treatment with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). However, little is known about the involvement of the patients' mucosal integrity of the proximal esophagus. METHODS: We recruited 15 symptomatic nonerosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients with a positive symptom index despite PPI treatment and 11 healthy asymptomatic volunteers as controls. The biopsy specimens obtained from the proximal and distal esophagus were applied to a mini-Ussing chamber system to measure transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) against a pH 4 weak acid. The esophageal biopsy samples were subjected to quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: In the proximal esophagus, the weak acid exposure reduced the TEER in the PPI-refractory patients compared to that in the controls. The frequency of the reflux extending to the proximal esophagus had a significant correlation with the reduction in the proximal esophageal TEER in the patients. The reduced TEER in the proximal esophagus was accompanied by an increase in IL-8 and IL-1ß mRNA and a decrease in occludin mRNA levels. The proximal esophageal mucosa in the patients presented infiltration of CD3-positive lymphocytes and an increased expression of solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 2A1 (SLCO2A1), a passage gate of reflux symptom-evoking molecules. CONCLUSIONS: The reflux perception is related to an impairment of the proximal esophageal mucosal integrity in patients with nonerosive reflux disease despite PPI.

The Development of Foveolar-type Gastric Adenocarcinoma during Maintenance Therapy of Vonoprazan for Reflux Esophagitis.

We herein report the first case of foveolar-type gastric adenocarcinoma that developed after the initiation of vonoprazan (VPZ). A 51-year-old man had heartburn at the first visit and reflux esophagitis endoscopically, so he started taking VPZ. An approximately 5-mm-sized reddish polyp with a raspberry-like morphology was detected at the anterior wall of the upper body of the stomach 156 weeks after starting maintenance therapy with VPZ 10 mg/day. It was diagnosed as foveolar-type gastric adenocarcinoma based on a biopsy. Another approximately 4-mm-sized foveolar-type gastric adenocarcinoma was also detected at the posterior wall of the middle body of the stomach.

Supragastric belching in Japan: lower prevalence and relevance for management of gastroesophageal reflux disease compared to United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND: Supragastric belching (SGB) may play a role in the pathophysiology of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)-refractoriness in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). SGB may be present in up to 40% of reflux symptoms in PPI-refractory GERD. Most reports on SGB have come from Western countries, and little is known about the prevalence and relevance of SGB in Asian refractory GERD patients. This study aimed at comparing the role of SGB in GERD patients in Japan and the UK. METHODS: We re-analyzed impedance-pH monitoring tracings from patients who were referred to tertiary centers in Japan and the UK due to PPI-refractory reflux symptoms. The prevalence of excessive SGB and the impact of SGB on reflux symptoms were compared between the two countries. RESULTS: Impedance-pH tracings from124 Japanese and 83 British patients were re-analyzed. Japanese patients were significantly younger and had smaller body mass index than the British (P < 0.001). Japanese patients had significantly lower prevalence of excessive SGB (18.5%) than the UK (36.1%) irrespective of reflux phenotype (P = 0.006). Logistic regression analysis showed that the geographical/cultural difference was the only factor associated with the different prevalence of SGB (odds ratio; 2.91, 95% CI 1.09-7.73, P = 0.032). SGB were related to typical reflux symptoms very rarely in Japan [0% (0-4.9)] compared to the UK [35% (0-54.1)] (P = 0.071). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of SGB and their impact on reflux symptoms is significantly lower in Japan compared to the UK. The difference is not related to reflux parameters but might come from ethnic/cultural factors to be further characterized.

Strong Intra-Esophageal Reflux May Contribute to the Development of Barrett's Adenocarcinoma and Affect the Localization.

BACKGROUND: There has been no study that has directly measured the esophageal reflux factors in Barrett's adenocarcinoma (BA) using 24-h multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring (24-h MII-pH). We aimed to clarify the esophageal reflux factors in Barrett's esophagus (BE) and BA and the factors that determine the location of BA with 24-h MII-pH. METHODS: We performed 24-h MII-pH in 26 patients with superficial BA treated endoscopically (BA group) and 13 patients with BE (BE group) and examined the esophageal reflux factors (esophageal acid exposure time [AET], bolus exposure (acid, weakly acid, and alkaline), and number of reflux episodes. In the BA group, there were 16 cases in which the lesions were localized in an area in contact with the esophagogastric junction (EGJ; EGJ group), and 10 cases in which the lesions were proximal to the BE and separated from the EGJ (non-EGJ group). RESULTS: Total reflux in the bolus exposure in the BA group showed higher values compared to that in the BE group. The total of acid and weakly acid reflux of bolus exposure was significantly higher in the BA group than that in the BE group. The BA group also had greater numbers of total reflux episodes than the BE group. As for the cancer locations in BE, the cases in which the lesions were located proximally and separated from the EGJ had more AET and total reflux and acid reflux indicated by bolus exposure compared to the lesions adjacent to the EGJ. CONCLUSIONS: Stronger gastro-esophageal reflux appeared to be an important factor in the development of adenocarcinoma from BE. In addition, the cancer location in BE may be related to the intensity of esophageal reflux.

Influence of the pH Value of Refluxate and Proximal Extent on Heartburn Perception in Patients with Proton Pump Inhibitor-Refractory Non-Erosive Reflux Disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Weakly acidic reflux has been reported as the major cause of symptom occurrence in patients with proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-refractory non-erosive reflux disease (NERD). This study is aimed at clarifying whether the pH value of weakly acidic reflux affects the induction of symptoms. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the records of combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH monitoring in 57 patients with PPI-refractory NERD. Weakly acidic refluxes were divided into 3 categories based on the pH value of the refluxate: pH 4-5, 5-6, and 6-7. RESULTS: A total of 29 patients were positive in the symptom index. The symptom provocation rate in reflux of pH 4-5 (19%) was much higher than in that of pH 5-6 (11%) and pH 6-7 (12%). In the reflux at pH 4-5, the symptom provocation rate in the proximal reflux was higher than that in the distal reflux (p < 0.05), whereas the reflux at pH 5-6 and pH 6-7 was not significantly different in the symptom provocation rate between the proximal and distal refluxes. CONCLUSION: Reflux at pH <5 reaching the proximal esophagus was the main factor in the induced symptoms of patients with PPI-refractory NERD.

[A case of non-invasive IPMC with fibrotic lesion-like "tubular complex"].

A 73-year-old man was incidentally diagnosed with a cystic lesion in the pancreatic body. Ultrasonography, abdominal computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, and endoscopic ultrasound were performed, and a nodule was detected in the cystic lesion along with an irregularity of the main pancreatic duct. An initial diagnosis of a mixed-type intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm was made, and a central pancreatectomy was performed. However, the final diagnosis was altered to non-invasive intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma (IPMC). The histopathological examination revealed a fibrotic lesion that was similar to "tubular complex" findings observed in mouse models of pancreatic cancer. The fibrotic lesion was placed between the main pancreatic duct lesion and branch-duct cystic lesion. The changes reflected in branch-level stenosis may be caused by IPMC growth.

Outcomes of chronic subdural hematoma with preexisting comorbidities causing disturbed consciousness.

OBJECTIVE Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is widely treated by drainage through a bur hole opening. However, whether and how preexisting comorbidities causing disturbance of consciousness affect patient outcomes remains unclear. METHODS The authors analyzed 188 consecutive patients with CSDH who were surgically treated at the Neurosurgery Institute of the Kyorin University School of Medicine between 2010 and 2012 and followed them for more than 90 days. The mean patient age was 77.0 years (range 33-101 years) and 56 were women. Patient outcomes including modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score, postoperative morbidity and mortality, and recurrence 90 days after initial surgery were analyzed according to preexisting comorbidities causing disturbance of consciousness. The comorbidities observed in 46 patients (24%) included dementia (30 patients), history of ischemic stroke (10 patients), psychiatric disorders (3 patients), and others (3 patients). RESULTS Background characteristics of patients with comorbidities showed older patient age (p < 0.001), lower preoperative Glasgow Coma Scale score (p < 0.001), and higher preoperative mRS score (p < 0.001). The mean mRS score 90 days after the neurosurgical procedure was 1.2 in all 188 patients, which was significantly higher in those with comorbidities (p < 0.001). By 1-way ANOVA with repeated measures, interaction existed between the presence of comorbidities and mRS score, and improvement of mRS score was observed in smaller proportions of patients with comorbidities (p = 0.002). By multivariate logistic regression analysis, the presence of comorbidities, patient age, reoperation for recurrence, and preoperative mRS score were significantly related to poor outcomes, defined as mRS score of 3 or more at 90 days after surgery. Postoperative morbidity (p < 0.01) and mortality (p < 0.01) were significantly higher in those with comorbidities, whereas the rate of recurrence of CSDH was not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS The preexistence of comorbidities causing disturbance of consciousness affected severity and outcomes 90 days after surgical treatment of CSDH, and comorbidities were also correlated with aging.