The Clinical Impact and Cost-Effectiveness of Surveillance of Incidentally Detected Gastric Intestinal Metaplasia: A Microsimulation Analysis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM) is associated with a higher risk of noncardia intestinal gastric adenocarcinoma (GA). The aim of this study was to estimate lifetime benefits, complications, and cost-effectiveness of GIM surveillance using esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). METHODS: We developed a semi-Markov microsimulation model of patients with incidentally detected GIM, to compare the effectiveness of EGD surveillance with no surveillance at 10-year, 5-year, 3-year, 2-year, and 1-year intervals. We modeled a simulated cohort of 1,000,000 US individuals aged 50 with incidental GIM. Outcome measures were lifetime GA incidence, mortality, number of EGDs, complications, undiscounted life-years gained, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio with a willingness-to-pay threshold of $100,000/quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). RESULTS: In the absence of surveillance, the model simulated 32.0 lifetime GA cases and 23.0 lifetime GA deaths per 1000 individuals with GIM, respectively. Among surveilled individuals, simulated lifetime GA incidence (per 1000) decreased with shorter surveillance intervals (10-year to 1-year, 11.2-6.1) as did GA mortality (7.4-3.6). Compared with no surveillance, all modeled surveillance intervals yielded greater life expectancy (87-190 undiscounted life-years gained per 1000); 5-year surveillance provided the greatest number of life-years gained per EGD performed and was the cost-effective strategy ($40,706/QALY). In individuals with risk factors of family history of GA or anatomically extensive, incomplete-type GIM intensified 3-year surveillance was cost-effective (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio $28,156/QALY and $87,020/QALY, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Using microsimulation modeling, surveillance of incidentally detected GIM every 5 years is associated with reduced GA incidence/mortality and is cost-effective from a health care sector perspective. Real-world studies evaluating the impact of GIM surveillance on GA incidence and mortality in the United States are needed.

Prevalence of Gastric Precursor Lesions in Countries With Differential Gastric Cancer Burden: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The prevalence of precursor lesions for gastric cancer (GC) and the differential burden between countries of varying GC risk is not well-understood. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the global prevalence of precursor lesions. METHODS: We estimated the prevalence of atrophic gastritis (AG), gastric intestinal metaplasia (IM), and dysplasia in regions with low, medium, and high GC incidence. Because IM is an advanced manifestation of AG, we assessed the prevalence of less advanced precursors, regardless of the presence of more advanced lesions. Prevalence was sub-stratified by Helicobacter pylori infection, symptomatology, and period (<2000, 2000-2010, and >2010). RESULTS: Among the 582 articles that underwent full-text review, 166 studies met inclusion criteria. The global prevalence estimates of AG, IM, and dysplasia were 25.4%, 16.2%, and 2.0%, respectively, on the basis of 126 studies that reported the prevalence of less advanced precursors, regardless of the presence of more advanced lesions. The prevalence of all precursor lesions was higher in high and medium compared with low GC incidence countries (P < .01). Prevalence of AG and IM was significantly higher among H pylori-infected individuals (P < .01) but not statistically different between symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals (P > .17). All precursors demonstrated a secular decrease in prevalence over time. CONCLUSIONS: Gastric precursor lesions have differences in prevalence in regions with differential GC incidence and are associated with H pylori infection. Because of the substantial prevalence of precursor lesions in both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals, symptomatic evaluation may not be sufficient to identify individuals at risk. These estimates provide important insights for tailoring GC prevention strategies.

The Colombian Chemoprevention Trial: 20-Year Follow-Up of a Cohort of Patients With Gastric Precancerous Lesions.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Helicobacter pylori eradication and endoscopic surveillance of gastric precancerous lesions are strategies to reduce gastric cancer (GC) risk. To our knowledge, this study is the longest prospective cohort of an H pylori eradication trial in a Hispanic population. METHODS: A total of 800 adults with precancerous lesions were randomized to anti-H pylori treatment or placebo. Gastric biopsy samples taken at baseline and 3, 6, 12, 16, and 20 years were assessed by our Correa histopathology score. A generalized linear mixed model with a participant-level random intercept was used to estimate the effect of H pylori status on the score over time. Logistic regression models were used to estimate progression by baseline diagnosis and to estimate GC risk by intestinal metaplasia (IM) subtype and anatomic location. RESULTS: Overall, 356 individuals completed 20 years of follow-up. Anti-H pylori therapy (intention-to-treat) reduced progression of the Correa score (odds ratio [OR], 0.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.38-0.93). H pylori-negative status had a beneficial effect on the score over time (P = .036). Among individuals with IM (including indefinite for dysplasia) at baseline, incidence rates per 100 person-years were 1.09 (95% CI, 0.85-1.33) for low-grade/high-grade dysplasia and 0.14 (95% CI, 0.06-0.22) for GC. Incomplete-type (vs complete-type) IM at baseline presented higher GC risk (OR, 13.4; 95% CI, 1.8-103.8). Individuals with corpus (vs antrum-restricted) IM showed an OR of 2.1 (95% CI, 0.7-6.6) for GC. CONCLUSIONS: In a high-GC-risk Hispanic population, anti-H pylori therapy had a long-term beneficial effect against histologic progression. Incomplete IM is a strong predictor of GC risk.

Esophageal abnormalities and the risk for gastroesophageal cancers-a histopathology-register-based study in Sweden.

BACKGROUND: The poor survival of patients with gastroesophageal cancers may improve if additional esophageal precursor lesions to Barrett's esophagus and squamous dysplasia are identified. We estimated the risk for gastroesophageal cancers among patients with various histopathological abnormalities in the esophagus, including Barrett's esophagus, subdivided by histopathological types. METHODS: Histopathology data from esophageal biopsies obtained 1979-2014 were linked with several national population-based registers in Sweden. Patients were followed from 2 years after the first biopsy date until cancer, death, emigration, esophagectomy/gastrectomy or end of follow-up, 31st of December 2016, whichever came first. We estimated standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) as measures of relative risk with the Swedish general population as reference. RESULTS: In total 367 esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) cases were ascertained during 831,394 person-years of follow-up. The incidence rate (IR) for EAC was 0.1 per 1000 person-years for normal morphology, 0.2-0.5 for inflammatory changes, and 0.8-2.9 for metaplasia. The IR was 1.0 per 1000 person-years (95% confidence interval 0.7-1.3) among patients with non-dysplastic intestinal metaplasia, 0.9 (0.8-1.1) in non-dysplastic gastric/glandular metaplasia and 2.9 (2.0-4.2) among columnar metaplasia patients with low-grade dysplasia. The SIRs were 11.7 (95% confidence interval 8.6-15.5), 12.0 (10.0-14.2) and 30.2 (20.5-42.8), respectively. The SIRs for gastric cardia adenocarcinoma (GCA) were moderately elevated. CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, we demonstrate that patients with esophageal inflammatory and other metaplastic abnormalities than Barrett's esophagus have an increased risk of EAC and GCA compared to the general population. Moreover, patients with different histopathologic subtypes of Barrett's esophagus have a comparable risk for EAC.

Prevalence of Extensive and Limited Gastric Intestinal Metaplasia and Progression to Dysplasia and Gastric Cancer.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Guidelines cite extensive gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM) as a bigger risk factor for gastric cancer (GC) than limited GIM and an indication for endoscopic surveillance. Data on progression of extensive GIM to GC in the USA are limited. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and progression rates of extensive GIM in a US cohort. METHODS: This retrospective study assessed the prevalence of extensive GIM between 1/1/1990 and 8/1/2019 at a large academic medical center. Multivariable regression was used to identify predictors of extensive GIM. Incidence of GC on follow-up was calculated as number of new diagnoses divided by person-years of follow-up. Presence of GIM on subsequent follow-up endoscopy was assessed. RESULTS: Of 1256 individuals with GIM, 352 (28%) had extensive GIM and 904 (72%) had limited GIM. On multivariable analysis, older age (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00-1.02) and Hispanic ethnicity (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.11-2.16) were predictive of extensive GIM. The annual incidence of GC for GIM overall was 0.09%. There was no difference in progression to GC between extensive or limited GIM (IRR 0, 95% CI 0-2.6), or to advanced lesions overall (IRR 0.37, 95% CI 0.04-1.62). 70% of individuals had persistent GIM on follow-up biopsy, and 22% with limited GIM had extensive GIM on follow-up biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: 28% of individuals with GIM have the extensive subtype, and are more likely to be older and of Hispanic ethnicity. There was no difference in progression to GC between extensive and limited GIM. Further research is needed to better assess risk of GIM in the US context.

Ethnicity Is an Important Consideration in Screening for Gastric Intestinal Metaplasia.

BACKGROUND: Gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM) is a precursor to gastric adenocarcinoma, making it an attractive target for early detection by endoscopy. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, risk factors, and associated histologic findings of GIM among patients undergoing endoscopy in a diverse US population. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional study of patients undergoing elective endoscopy with gastric biopsies at 6 academic and community centers in Houston, Texas. GIM prevalence was estimated with a 95% confidence interval (CI), and patient demographic and clinical characteristics were summarized using mean with standard deviation, or frequency with percentage. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to compare characteristics between those with and without GIM. RESULTS: Our final cohort consisted of 2685 patients, including 216 cases with GIM and 2469 controls. The prevalence of GIM in our cohort was 8.04% (95% CI 7.07%, 9.14%). The mean age of GIM cases was higher than in the control group (59.8 vs 54.7 years, p < 0.0001). The prevalence of GIM in Asians, Hispanic, Black and Non-Hispanic Whites (NHW) was 14.7%, 11.7%, 9.8% and 5.8%, respectively. On multivariable analysis, factors associated with GIM include age (adj. OR 1.32 per 10 year increase, p < 0.0001), habitual smoking (adj. OR 1.68, p < 0.0001), and race (compared to NHW: Asian, adj. OR 2.34, p = 0.010; Hispanic, adj. OR 2.15, p < 0.001; Black, adj. OR 1.61, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Asians, Hispanics, and African Americans have higher rates of GIM than NHW. Ethnicity should be an important consideration on determining who to screen for GIM in the US.

Risk Score Using Demographic and Clinical Risk Factors Predicts Gastric Intestinal Metaplasia Risk in a U.S. Population.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Screening for gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM) may lead to early gastric cancer detection. We developed and validated a pre-endoscopy risk prediction model for detection of GIM based on patient-level risk factors in a U.S. METHODS: We used data from 423 GIM cases and 1796 controls from a cross-sectional study among primary care and endoscopy clinic patients at the Houston VA. We developed the model using backwards stepwise regression and assessed discrimination using area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC). The model was internally validated using cross-validation and bootstrapping. The final expanded model was compared to a model including H. pylori infection alone and a baseline model including remaining terms without H. pylori. RESULTS: Male sex, older age, non-white race/ethnicity, smoking status, and H. pylori were associated with GIM risk. The expanded model including these terms had AUROC 0.73 (95%CI 0.71-0.76) for predicting GIM and AUROC 0.82 (95%CI 0.79-0.86) for extensive GIM. This model discriminated better than a model including only H. pylori (AUROC 0.66; 95%CI 0.63-0.68) and the baseline model (AUROC 0.67; 95%CI 0.64-0.70). The expanded model performed similarly among primary care (AUROC 0.75) and endoscopy (AUROC 0.73) patients. The expanded model showed sufficient internal validity (cross-validation AUROC 0.72) with little evidence of over-fitting. CONCLUSIONS: We develop and validate a non-invasive risk model for GIM detection in a U.S. population that included terms for sex, age, race/ethnicity, smoking status, and H. pylori infection. Validated risk models would identify individuals with GIM who should be referred for endoscopic screening.

Incidental morphological findings in colorectal adenomas.

Owing to a sharp increase in the frequency of diagnosis of colorectal adenomas in the current era of population screening, distinctive morphological features are increasingly being observed. These may present diagnostic challenges and cause clinical management issues. Paneth cell metaplasia is a more common occurrence, but the incidence rates of squamous metaplasia, clear cell metaplasia, osseous metaplasia, neuroendocrine differentiation and signet-ring cell-like lesion are low, and they can be seen in <1% of colorectal adenomas. Their histomorphological characteristics are quite unique; ancillary studies are not very helpful and often not needed. In this review, we give an overview and describe the potential clinical consequences of such incidental and special morphological findings in colorectal adenomas.

Cytokine TGF-ß1, 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-ß1 +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-ß1 +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-ß1 +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-ß1 +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.

Allaying uncertainty in diagnosing buried Barrett's esophagus.

Subsquamous intestinal metaplasia (SSIM) in the setting of Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a technically challenging diagnosis. While the risk for progression of BE involving the surface mucosa is well documented, the potential risk for development of advanced neoplasia associated with SSIM has been controversial. This study aimed to determine the effects of specimen adequacy, presence of dysplasia, and interobserver agreement for SSIM interpretation. Adult patients (n = 28) who underwent endoscopic therapy for BE with high-grade dysplasia or intramucosal carcinoma (HGD/IMC) between October 2005 and June 2013 were included. Initial evaluation (n = 140 slides) by an experienced gastrointestinal pathologist was followed by an interobserver study by 8 pathologists. Forty-seven (34%) slides had insufficient subsquamous tissue to assess for SSIM. SSIM was found in 19% of all slides and 29% of slides with sufficient subsquamous tissue. At least one slide had SSIM in 54% to 64% of patients. Subsquamous low grade dysplasia (LGD) was found in 4 (15%) slides with SSIM and subsquamous HGD/IMC was found in 5 (19%) slides with SSIM. At the patient level, 8 (53%) had no dysplasia, 4 (27%) had LGD and 3 (20%) had HGD/IMC. Overall agreement for SSIM by slide was 92% to 94% (κ = 0.73 to κ = 0.82, moderate to strong agreement), and by patient was 82% to 94% (κ = 0.65 to κ = 0.87, moderate to strong agreement). This study confirms the need for assessing specimen adequacy and assessing the prevalence of SSIM and is the first to assess interobserver agreement for SSIM and dysplasia within SSIM.

Prevalence of gastric cancer precursors in gastroscopy-screened adults by family history of gastric cancer and of cancers other than gastric.

BACKGROUND: People are at a high risk of gastric cancer if their first-degree relatives suffered from atrophic gastritis (AG), intestinal metaplasia (IM), intraepithelial neoplasia (IEN), dysplasia (DYS), or gastric cancer (GC). This study was performed to analyse the association between FDR-GC and GC precursors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed to screen the prevalence of GC precursors from November 2016 to September 2019. A total of 1329 participants with FDR-GC, 193 participants with a family history of non-gastric cancer in FDRs (FDR-nGC), and 860 participants without a family history of cancer in FDRs (FDR-nC) were recruited in this study. The logistic regression model was used in this study. RESULTS: The prevalence of normal, Non-AG, AG/IM, IEN/DYS, and GC was 31.91, 44.21, 13.81, 8.73, and 1.34%, respectively. The prevalence of IEN/DYS was higher in people with FDR-GC and FDR-nGC (FDR-GC: odds ratio (OR) = 1.655; 95%CI, 1.153-2.376; FDR-nGC: OR = 1.984; 95%CI, 1.122-3.506) than those with FDR-nC. The younger the age at which FDRs were diagnosed with GC, the more likely the participants were to develop AG/IM (Ptrend = 0.019). The risk of precursors to GC was higher in participants whose FDR-GC was the mother than in those whose FDR-GC was the father or sibling (OR, non-AG: 1.312 vs. 1.007, 1.274; AG/IM: 1.430 vs. 1.296, 1.378; IEN/DYS: 1.988 vs. 1.573, 1.542). There was no statistically significant difference in non-AG (OR = 1.700; 95%CI, 0.940-3.074), AG/IM (OR = 1.291; 95%CI, 0.579-2.877), and IEN/DYS (OR = 1.265; 95%CI, 0.517-3.096) between participants with one or more FDR-GC. CONCLUSION: People with FDR-GC and FDR-nGC are at a high risk of IEN/DYS. When an FDR was diagnosed at a younger age, the risk of AG/IM was higher. The risk of GC precursors was higher in people whose FDR-GC was the mother.

Development of Evidence-Based Surveillance Intervals After Radiofrequency Ablation of Barrett's Esophagus.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Barrett's esophagus (BE) recurs in 25% or more of patients treated successfully with radiofrequency ablation (RFA), so surveillance endoscopy is recommended after complete eradication of intestinal metaplasia (CEIM). The frequency of surveillance is informed only by expert opinion. We aimed to model the incidence of neoplastic recurrence, validate the model in an independent cohort, and propose evidence-based surveillance intervals. METHODS: We collected data from the United States Radiofrequency Ablation Registry (US RFA, 2004-2013) and the United Kingdom National Halo Registry (UK NHR, 2007-2015) to build and validate models to predict the incidence of neoplasia recurrence after initially successful RFA. We developed 3 categories of risk and modeled intervals to yield 0.1% risk of recurrence with invasive adenocarcinoma. We fit Cox proportional hazards models assessing discrimination by C statistic and 95% confidence limits. RESULTS: The incidence of neoplastic recurrence was associated with most severe histologic grade before CEIM, age, endoscopic mucosal resection, sex, and baseline BE segment length. In multivariate analysis, a model based solely on most severe pre-CEIM histology predicted neoplastic recurrence with a C statistic of 0.892 (95% confidence limit, 0.863-0.921) in the US RFA registry. This model also performed well when we used data from the UK NHR. Our model divided patients into 3 risk groups based on baseline histologic grade: non-dysplastic BE; indefinite for dysplasia, low-grade dysplasia, and high-grade dysplasia; or intramucosal adenocarcinoma. For patients with low-grade dysplasia, we propose surveillance endoscopy at 1 and 3 years after CEIM; for patients with high-grade dysplasia or intramucosal adenocarcinoma, we propose surveillance endoscopy at 0.25, 0.5, and 1 year after CEIM, then annually. CONCLUSION: In analyses of data from the US RFA and UK NHR for BE, a much-attenuated schedule of surveillance endoscopy would provide protection from invasive adenocarcinoma. Adherence to the recommended surveillance intervals could decrease the number of endoscopies performed yet identify unresectable cancers at rates less than 1/1000 endoscopies.

Intestinal metaplasia of the gastric cardia: findings in patients with versus without Barrett's esophagus.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: There is controversy about finding intestinal metaplasia (IM) of the gastric cardia on biopsy. The most recent American College of Gastroenterology guideline comments that IM cardia is not more common in patients with Barrett's esophagus (BE). It provides limited guidance on whether the cardia should be treated when patients with BE undergo endoscopic eradication therapy (EET) and whether the cardia should undergo biopsy after ablation. The aims of our study were to determine the frequency in the proximal stomach of (1) histologic gastric cardia mucosa and (2) IM cardia. A third aim was to explore the frequency of advanced pathology (dysplasia and adenocarcinoma) in the cardia after patients with BE have undergone EET. METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy between January 2008 and December 2014 who had proximal stomach biopsies were included. Patients who had histologically confirmed BE were compared with those without BE. RESULTS: Four hundred sixty-two patients, 289 with BE and 173 without BE, were included. Histologically confirmed cardiac mucosa was found in 81.6% of all patients. This was more frequent in those with versus without BE (86% vs 75%; odds ratio [OR], 2.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28-3.32; P = .003). IM cardia was more common in the BE group (17% vs 7%; OR, 2.67; 95% CI, 1.38-5.19; P = .004). Advanced pathology was more likely in the patients with BE who had undergone EET. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac mucosa is present in most patients who undergo endoscopy for upper GI symptoms. IM cardia is more common in patients with BE than those without. Advanced histologic changes in the cardia were seen only in the subgroup of patients with BE who had undergone EET.

The prevalence of histologic atrophy and intestinal metaplasia in the corpus has decreased over 15 years in females in the Korean population.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the trends of atrophy and intestinal metaplasia (IM) in 2002 subjects without significant gastroduodenal diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 2002 subjects were prospectively enrolled and divided into three periods (2003-2007, 2008-2012, and 2013-2018). Trends of H pylori and atrophy/IM scored by Updated Sydney System were analyzed according to sex, and multivariate logistic analysis was performed for the risk factors for atrophy/IM. RESULTS: H pylori-negative and H pylori-positive subjects were 1220 (61.0%) and 782 (38.0%), respectively. H pylori positivity decreased from 149/303 (49.2%), 207/515 (40.2%) and 426/1184 (36.0%), in the three periods, respectively (P < 0.001). The prevalence of atrophy (P < 0.001) and IM in the corpus (P < 0.001) significantly decreased over 15 years in females, but not in males. The mean grade of atrophy and IM was higher in males (0.36 and 0.51) than in females (0.28 and 0.41) in the corpus (P = 0.027) and in the antrum (P = 0.006), respectively. Similarly, the mean grade of IM in males (0.34) was higher in females (0.19; P < 0.001) in the corpus. Multivariate analysis showed that old age, study period, and H pylori were statistically significant in atrophy of antrum and corpus, and IM in the corpus. In cases of IM of antrum, old age, H pylori, and smoking were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: A significant decrease in atrophy and IM in the corpus in females over 15 years suggests sex- or gender-specific characteristics.

Update on the Diagnosis and Management of Gastric Intestinal Metaplasia in the USA.

Gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM) is a premalignant condition that can lead to intestinal-type gastric adenocarcinoma. It is characterized by a change in the gastric mucosa to a small-intestinal phenotype. Infection with Helicobacter pylori is the most common factor associated with GIM. Although GIM is typically a histologic diagnosis, various techniques have been developed to enable the endoscopic identification of GIM. There are presently no widely accepted guidelines on screening and surveillance strategies in patients with GIM in the USA. The aim of this review is to provide an update regarding the problem, diagnosis, and management of GIM in the USA.

Association of gastric intestinal metaplasia and East Asian ethnicity with the risk of gastric adenocarcinoma in a U.S. population.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Although the incidence of gastric cancer is higher than that of esophageal cancer in the United States, no screening or surveillance guidelines exist. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between gastric intestinal metaplasia and the risk of gastric cancer in a U.S. tertiary care system with a large immigrant population. METHODS: This is a retrospective case-control study with cases of biopsy-proven gastric cancer matched (by age and gender) to controls without gastric cancer who had undergone EGD. The presence of gastric intestinal metaplasia was ascertained from pathology reports. Other potential risk factors for gastric cancer were abstracted from medical records as follows: country of origin, Helicobacter pylori infection, family history of gastric cancer, alcohol consumption, smoking, and history of partial gastrectomy (Billroth I or II). Conditional logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors for gastric cancer. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-two cases of gastric cancer were compared with 456 age- and gender-matched controls. The mean age was 66 years, and 57% were male. Multivariable analysis identified 2 significant predictors of gastric cancer: the presence of gastric intestinal metaplasia (odds ratio [OR], 9.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.5-18.9; P < .001) and East Asian ethnicity (OR, 15.9; 95% CI, 5.8-43.6; P < .001). CONCLUSION: The presence of gastric intestinal metaplasia on endoscopy and East Asian ethnicity were significant risk factors for gastric cancer. Screening East Asian immigrants and surveying patients with gastric intestinal metaplasia may improve the rates of early detection of gastric cancer in the United States.

Surveillance strategy according to age after endoscopic resection of early gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Whether surveillance strategy after curative endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early gastric cancer (EGC) differs in young patients is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the risk of metachronous and extragastric recurrence in young patients with EGC after curative ESD. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 1237 consecutive patients who underwent curative ESD for EGC from 2005 to 2014 at a single tertiary hospital. The patients were divided into group 1 (<50 years of age, n = 86), group 2 (age 50-74, n = 985), or group 3 (≥75 years of age, n = 166). The clinical characteristics and outcomes were compared among the three age groups. RESULTS: Group 1 had more frequent Helicobacter pylori infection (P < 0.001), less frequent intestinal metaplasia (P = 0.021), and more frequent undifferentiated tumors (P = 0.039). Although the 5-year risk of developing metachronous recurrence appeared to be lower in group 1 (2.7%) than in groups 2 (8.6%) or 3 (8.7%), the risk became quite similar at the 7-year follow-up (6.4, 12.7, and 8.7% for groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively; P = 0.409 by log-rank test). Extragastric recurrences developed in only 2 cases in group 2 (0.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Surveillance for metachronous and extragastric recurrence after curative ESD in patients <50 years of age should not be different from that in patients ≥50 years of age. Endoscopic surveillance for metachronous recurrence should be continued for longer than 5 years, even in young patients.

Helicobacter pylori and precancerous lesions of the stomach in a Nigerian Metropolis: A Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-related atrophic gastritis transits through a sequential pathway of intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia to gastric cancer. Gastroscopy offers early detection, treatment and surveillance of gastric cancer. AIMS: This study aims to study the prevalence of H. pylori infection and evaluate precancerous lesions (PCLs) of the stomach. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a case controlled study of patients with dyspepsia undergoing gastroscopy at a referral endoscopy facility in Port Harcourt metropolis of Nigeria. The variables studied included demographics, clinical, endoscopic, and histopathologic findings. Statistical analysis of data was done using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20.0. (Armonk, NY, USA). RESULTS: A total of 104 patients were included in the study. Age ranged from 20 to 80 years (mean 47.1 ± 14.4 years); 56 were males and 48 were females. H. pylori were detected in 40 (38.5%) mucosal biopsies. The prevalence of PCLs was: chronic atrophic gastritis 6.7% (7 cases); intestinal metaplasia 2.9% (3 cases); and dysplasia 5.8% (6 cases). There was no statistical significance in sex distribution of PCLs (P = 0.245). CONCLUSION: There is a low prevalence of H. pylori in this metropolitan population. Mandatory multiple topographically targeted biopsies, even with normal mucosal appearance, at gastroscopy in addition to surveillance of PCL are recommended for early detection of gastric cancer.