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Background/Aims: Patients with diverticular disease (DD) frequently have abnormal bowel movements. However, it is unknown whether the entity of these alterations is associated with the severity of DD. We aimed to assess bowel habits and their relationship with the severity of DD according to Diverticular Inflammation and Complication Assessment (DICA) classification, Combined Overview on Diverticular Assessment (CODA) score, and fecal calprotectin (FC). Methods: An international, multicenter, prospective cohort study was conducted in 43 centers. A 10-point visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess the severity of constipation and diarrhea. The association of constipation and diarrhea with DICA classification, CODA score, and basal FC was tested using non-parametric tests. Survival methods for censored observations were applied to test the association of constipation and diarrhea with the incidence of acute diverticulitis over a 3-year follow-up. Results: Of 871 patients with DD were included in the study. Of these, 208 (23.9%) and 199 (22.9%) reported a VAS score for constipation and diarrhea at least 3 at baseline, respectively. Higher constipation and diarrhea scores were associated with increasing DICA classification, CODA score and basal FC (P< 0.001). Constipation and diarrhea scores were independently associated with an increased hazard of developing acute diverticulitis (hazard ratio [HR]constipation = 1.15 per 1-VAS point increase, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-1.27; P=0.004; and HRdiarrhea =1.14; 95% CI, 1.03-1.26; P=0.014, respectively). Conclusions: In newly diagnosed patients with DD, higher endoscopic and combined scores of DD severity were associated with higher scores of constipation and diarrhea at baseline. Both constipation and diarrhea were independent prognostic factors of acute diverticulitis.
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BACKGROUND: Both macroscopic and histological lesions are frequently detected at upper endoscopy in elderly patients. We assessed the prevalence of main endoscopic and histological alterations in elderly (> 65 years old) patients. METHODS: In this study, clinical, endoscopic and histological features of patients referred for upper endoscopy in clinical practice were retrieved. Both univariate and multivariate analyses were executed. Comparisons with previous data were performed. RESULTS: A total of 1336 underwent upper endoscopy in the 28 participating centres. At endoscopy, at least one macroscopic lesion was present in overall 420 (31.4%) patients. Erosive gastritis (13.3%) and erosive oesophagitis (9.8%) were the most prevalent lesions, whilst Barrett's oesophagus, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer and erosive duodenitis were observed in 1.8%, 2%, 1.4% and 3.1% patients, respectively. Nine (0.6%) cases of oesophageal, 25 (1.8%) gastric and 2 (0.1%) duodenal neoplasia were detected. At histology, Helicobacter pylori infection was diagnosed in 99 (15.9%) patients, and extensive precancerous lesions on gastric mucosa were detected in 80 (14.5%) patients. Endoscopic lesions were more frequent in males, at first endoscopy and in those with alarm symptoms and lower during PPI therapy. At multivariate analysis, PPI therapy significantly reduced the probability of finding endoscopic lesions (OR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.46-0.99; P = 0.04), whilst neoplastic lesions were associated with presence of alarm symptoms (OR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1-2.1; P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: We found that the frequency of erosive and neoplastic lesions remained high in elderly patients, whilst the prevalence of both H. pylori infection and peptic ulcer was decreased.
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Obesity/overweight and its complications are a growing problem in many countries. Italian Society of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery for Obesity (Società Italiana di Chirurgia dell'Obesità e delle Malattie Metaboliche-SICOB) decided to develop the first Italian guidelines for the endoscopic bariatric treatment of obesity. The creation of SICOB Guidelines is based on an extended work made by a panel of 44 members and a coordinator. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) methodology has been used to decide the aims, reference population, and target health professionals. Clinical questions have been created using the PICO (patient, intervention, comparison, outcome) conceptual framework. We will perform systematic reviews, formal meta-analyses, and network meta-analyses for each PICO and critical outcomes aimed at assessing and rating the efficacy and safety of endoscopic bariatric procedures in comparison with either no interventions, lifestyle interventions, or approved anti-obesity treatments in trials with a follow-up of at least 52 weeks. For PICO on temporary endoscopic bariatric treatments, we will also consider RCT with a minimum duration of 6 months. The panel proposed 8 questions, organized into four domains: A. Indication for endoscopic bariatric surgery; B. Revisional surgery; C. Temporary gastric and duodenal-jejunal procedures; D. Endoscopic diagnosis/treatment of bariatric and metabolic surgery complications. These guidelines will apply to patients aged ≥ 14 years) with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 27 kg/m2 and requiring endoscopic bariatric surgery or endoscopic diagnostic and/or therapeutic procedures. The areas covered by the clinical questions included indications of endoscopic bariatric surgery, types of surgery, revisional surgery, and management of bariatric and metabolic surgery complications.
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BACKGROUND: Sedation, ranging from minimal, moderate and deep sedation to general anesthesia, improves patient comfort and procedure quality in gastrointestinal endoscopy (GIE). There are currently no comprehensive recommendations on sedation practice in diagnostic and therapeutic GIE. We aimed to investigate real-life sedation practice in elective GIE. METHODS: We performed a multicentric observational study across 14 Endoscopy Units in Italy. We recorded consecutive data on all diagnostic procedures performed with Anesthesiologist-directed care (ADC) and all therapeutic procedures performed with ADC or non-Anesthesiologist sedation (NAS) over a three-month period. RESULTS: Dedicated ADC is available five days/week in 28.6% (4/14), four days/week in 21.5% (3/14), three days/week in 35.7% (5/14), two days/week in 7.1% (1/14) and one day/week in 7.1% (1/14) of participating Centers. ADC use for elective diagnostic GIE varied from 18.2% to 75.1% of the total number of procedures performed with ADC among different Centers. ADC use for elective therapeutic GIE varied from 10.8% to 98.9% of the total number of elective therapeutic procedures performed among different Centers. CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights the lack of standardization and consequent great variability in sedation practice for elective GIE, with ADC being potentially overused for diagnostic procedures and underused for complex therapeutic procedures. A collaborative effort involving Endoscopists, Anesthesiologist and Institutions is needed to optimize sedation practice in GIE.
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The present letter to the editor is related to the study with the title "Automatic detection of small bowel (SB) lesions with different bleeding risk based on deep learning models". Capsule endoscopy (CE) is the main tool to assess SB diseases but it is a time-consuming procedure with a significant error rate. The development of artificial intelligence (AI) in CE could simplify physicians' tasks. The novel deep learning model by Zhang et al seems to be able to identify various SB lesions and their bleeding risk, and it could pave the way to next perspective studies to better enhance the diagnostic support of AI in the detection of different types of SB lesions in clinical practice.
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Artificial Intelligence , Capsule Endoscopy , Deep Learning , Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage , Intestine, Small , Humans , Capsule Endoscopy/methods , Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/etiology , Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/diagnosis , Intestine, Small/pathology , Intestine, Small/diagnostic imaging , Risk Assessment/methodsABSTRACT
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.868449.].
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BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis in 10% to 20% of cases can be associated with necrosis of the pancreatic gland, peripancreatic tissue, or both. We report a case series of a new endoscopic approach to treat infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients with IPN, extending from the perigastric area up to the paracolic gutters or into the pelvis, were prospectively studied from January 2017 to June 2022. The treatment protocol was radiologic percutaneous drainage as the first step, followed by fully covered metal stent placement (FC-SEMS) in the track of the catheter. Percutaneous endoscopic necrosectomy (PEN) was performed 2 to 4 days later using a flexible endoscope through the percutaneous tract. About 2 to 4 weeks later, when a matured sac was visible, EUS-guided endoscopic transluminal drainage (ETD) with lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS) was performed. Control of sepsis with resolution of collection(s) was the primary outcome measure. RESULTS: We included 18 patients, males in 50% of cases with age 60±12 years old. Most frequent cause of pancreatitis was biliary (7 cases) followed by alcoholic in 6 cases; in 3 cases pancreatitis was caused by hyperlipemia and in 2 cases was idiopathic. Mean size of WON was 18±2 cm. For PEN, SEMSs used were esophageal FC-SEMS. LAMS used for ETD were Hot Axios, Hot Spaxus and Nagistent. Mean time of endoscopic intervention for PEN and ETD was 18±3 and 37±4 days, respectively. In 5 cases adverse events occurred: 3 cases of overinflations resolved with introduction of Verres needles in abdomen. In 2 cases postprocedural GI bleeding required endoscopic intervention. In all cases control of sepsis was reached together with resolution of collections. No cases of deaths were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Step-up percutaneous and transluminal endoscopic necrosectomy therapy is an effective strategy for large-size IPN with combined central and peripheral necrosis.
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Intraabdominal Infections , Pancreatitis, Acute Necrotizing , Sepsis , Male , Humans , Middle Aged , Aged , Pancreatitis, Acute Necrotizing/surgery , Acute Disease , Treatment Outcome , Stents/adverse effects , Drainage/methods , Necrosis , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: International guidelines advise improving esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) quality in Western countries, where gastric cancer is still diagnosed in advanced stages. This nationwide study investigated some indicators for the quality of EGD performed in endoscopic centers in Italy. METHODS: Clinical, endoscopic, and procedural data of consecutive EGDs performed in one month in the participating centers were reviewed and collected in a specific database. Some quality indicators before and during endoscopic procedures were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 3,219 EGDs performed by 172 endoscopists in 28 centers were reviewed. Data found that some relevant information (family history for GI cancer, smoking habit, use of proton pump inhibitors) were not collected before endoscopy in 58.5-80.7% of patients. Pre-endoscopic preparation for gastric cleaning was routinely performed in only 2 (7.1%) centers. Regarding the procedure, sedation was not performed in 17.6% of patients, and virtual chromoendoscopy was frequently (>75%) used in only one (3.6%) center. An adequate sampling of the gastric mucosa (i.e., antral and gastric body specimens) was heterogeneously performed, and it was routinely performed only by 23% of endoscopists, and in 14.3% centers. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis showed that the quality of EGD performed in clinical practice in Italy deserves to be urgently improved in different aspects.
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Gastrointestinal Neoplasms , Stomach Neoplasms , Humans , Endoscopy, Digestive System/methods , Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal , Stomach Neoplasms/diagnosis , Stomach Neoplasms/epidemiology , ItalyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The Diverticular Inflammation and Complication Assessment (DICA) classification and the Combined Overview on Diverticular Assessment (CODA) were found to be effective in predicting the outcomes of Diverticular Disease (DD). We ascertain whether fecal calprotectin (FC) can further aid in improving risk stratification. METHODS: A three-year international, multicentre, prospective cohort study was conducted involving 43 Gastroenterology and Endoscopy centres. Survival methods for censored observations were used to estimate the risk of acute diverticulitis (AD) in newly diagnosed DD patients according to basal FC, DICA, and CODA. The net benefit of management strategies based on DICA, CODA and FC in addition to CODA was assessed with decision curve analysis, which incorporates the harms and benefits of using a prognostic model for clinical decisions. RESULTS: At the first diagnosis of diverticulosis/DD, 871 participants underwent FC measurement. FC was associated with the risk of AD at 3 years (HR per each base 10 logarithm increase: 3.29; 95% confidence interval, 2.13-5.10) and showed moderate discrimination (c-statistic: 0.685; 0.614-0.756). DICA and CODA were more accurate predictors of AD than FC. However, FC showed high discrimination capacity to predict AD at 3 months, which was not maintained at longer follow-up times. The decision curve analysis comparing the combination of FC and CODA with CODA alone did not clearly indicate a larger net benefit of one strategy over the other. CONCLUSIONS: FC measurement could be used as a complementary tool to assess the immediate risk of AD. In all other cases, treatment strategies based on the CODA score alone should be recommended.
Subject(s)
Diverticular Diseases , Diverticulosis, Colonic , Diverticulum , Humans , Diverticulosis, Colonic/diagnosis , Diverticulosis, Colonic/therapy , Diverticulosis, Colonic/complications , Colonoscopy , Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex , Prospective Studies , Diverticular Diseases/complications , Diverticular Diseases/diagnosis , Diverticular Diseases/therapy , Diverticulum/complications , Inflammation/diagnosis , Inflammation/complicationsABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: We assessed the prevalence and clinical outcomes of segmental colitis associated with diverticulosis (SCAD) in patients with newly diagnosed diverticulosis. METHODS: A 3-year international, multicenter, prospective cohort study was conducted involving 2,215 patients. RESULTS: SCAD diagnosis was posed in 44 patients (30 male patients; median age: 64.5 years; prevalence of 1.99%, 95% confidence interval, 1.45%-2.66%). Patients with SCAD types D and B showed worse symptoms, higher fecal calprotectin values, needed more steroids, and reached less likely complete remission. DISCUSSION: Although SCAD generally had a benign outcome, types B and D were associated with more severe symptoms and worse clinical course.
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Colitis , Diverticulum , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Prospective Studies , Treatment Outcome , Colitis/complications , Colitis/epidemiology , Colitis/diagnosis , Diverticulum/complicationsABSTRACT
The therapy of left-sided malignant colonic obstruction continues to be one of the largest problems in clinical practice. Numerous studies on colonic stenting for neoplastic colonic obstruction have been reported in the last decades. Thereby the role of self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) in the treatment of malignant colonic obstruction has become better defined. However, numerous prospective and retrospective investigations have highlighted serious concerns about a possible worse outcome after endoscopic colorectal stenting as a bridge to surgery, particularly in case of perforation. This review analyzes the most recent evidence in order to highlight pros and cons of SEMS placement in left-sided malignant colonic obstruction.
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Video 1Endoscopic resection and suture of neoplastic recurrence after the use of endoscopic full-thickness resection devices for invasive rectal adenocarcinoma.
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Background/Aims: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been proposed for removal of gastrointestinal subepithelial tumors (GI-SETs), but data are still scanty. This study aimed to report a case series from a western country. Patients and Methods: Data of patients with upper GI-SETs suitable for ESD removal observed in 4 centers were retrospectively reviewed. Before endoscopic procedure, the lesion was characterized by endosonographic evaluation, histology, and CT scan. The en bloc resection and the R0 resection rates were calculated, as well as incidence of complications, and the 1-year follow-up was reported. Results: Data of 84 patients with esophageal (N = 13), gastric (N = 61), and duodenal (N = 10) GI-SETs were collected. The mean diameter of lesions was 26 mm (range: 12-110 mm). There were 17 gastrointestinal stromal tumors, 12 neuroendocrine tumors, 35 leiomyomas, 18 lipomas, and 2 hamartomas. En bloc and R0 resection were achieved in 83 (98.8%) and in 80 (95.2%) patients, respectively. Overall, a complication occurred in 11 (13.1%) patients, including bleeding (N = 7) and perforation (N = 4). Endoscopic approach was successful in all bleedings, but 1 patient who required radiological embolization, and in 2 perforations, while surgery was performed in the other patients. Overall, a surgical approach was eventually needed in 5 (5.9%), including 3 in whom R0 resection failed and 2 with perforation. Conclusions: Our study found that ESD may be an effective and safe alternative to surgical intervention for both benign and localized malignant GI-SETs.
Introdução/objetivos: A dissecção endoscópica da submucosa (ESD) tem sido proposta para a exérese de tumores subepiteliais gastrointestinais (GI-SETs), embora a literatura seja escassa. Este estudo teve como objetivo reportar uma série de casos de um país ocidental. Métodos: Coorte retrospectiva incluindo doentes com SETs do tubo digestivo superior submetidos a ESD em 4 centros (1 ano de follow-up). Antes do procedimento, a lesão foi caracterizada por ecoendoscopia, histologia e tomografia computadorizada. Foram avaliadas as taxas de ressecção em bloco e R0, bem como a incidência de complicações. Resultados: Incluídos 84 doentes com GI-SETs esofágicos (N = 13), gástricos (N = 61) e duodenais (N = 10). O diâmetro médio das lesões foi de 26 mm (intervalo 12110 mm) 17 tumores do estroma gastrointestinal, 12 tumores neuroendócrinos, 35 leiomiomas, 18 lipomas e 2 hamartomas. A resseção foi em bloco e R0 em 83 (98.8%) e em 80 (95.2%) doentes, respectivamente. Globalmente, ocorreram complicações em 11 (13.1%) doentes, incluindo hemorragia (N = 7) e perfuração (N = 4). A terapêutica endoscópica foi eficaz em todas as hemorragias exceto em 1 doente que necessitou de embolização radiológica e em 2 perfurações (submetidas a cirurgia). No geral, a abordagem cirúrgica foi necessária em 5 (5.9%) 3 doentes com resseção R1 e 2 com perfuração. Conclusões: A ESD pode ser uma alternativa eficaz e segura à intervenção cirúrgica para GI-SETs benignos e malignos localizados.
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BACKGROUND: On-therapy impedance-pH monitoring is recommended in patients with documented GERD and PPI-refractory heartburn in order to establish whether the unremitting symptom is reflux-related or not. AIMS: To define on-PPI cut-offs of impedance-pH metrics allowing proper interpretation of on-therapy impedance-pH monitoring. METHODS: Blinded expert review of impedance-pH tracings performed during double-dosage PPI, prospectively collected from 150 GERD patients with PPI-refractory heartburn and 45 GERD patients with PPI-responsive heartburn but persisting extra-esophageal symptoms. Acid exposure time (AET), number of total refluxes (TRs), post-reflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave (PSPW) index, and mean nocturnal baseline impedance (MNBI) were assessed. On-PPI cut-offs were defined and evaluated with ROC analysis and the area under curve (AUC). RESULTS: All the four impedance-pH metrics significantly differed between PPI-refractory and PPI-responsive heartburn cases. At ROC analysis, AUC was 0.73 for AET, 0.75 for TRs, 0.81 for PSPW index, and 0.71 for MNBI; best cut-offs were ≥1.7% for AET, ≥45 for TRs, ≤36% for PSPW index, and ≤ 1847 Ω for MNBI; AUC of such cut-offs was 0.66, 0.71, 0.73, and 0.68, respectively. Analysis of PSPW index and MNBI added to assessment of AET and TRs significantly increased the yield of on-therapy impedance-pH monitoring in the PPI-refractory cohort (97% vs. 83%, p < 0.0001). Notably, suboptimal acid suppression as shown by AET ≥1.7% was detected in 43% of 150 PPI-refractory cases. CONCLUSIONS: We have defined on-PPI cut-offs of impedance-pH metrics by which comprehensive assessment of impedance-pH tracings, including analysis of PSPW index and MNBI can efficiently characterize PPI-refractory GERD and support treatment escalation.
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Gastroesophageal Reflux , Heartburn , Humans , Heartburn/diagnosis , Esophageal pH Monitoring , Electric Impedance , Gastroesophageal Reflux/diagnosis , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Proton Pump Inhibitors/pharmacologyABSTRACT
Liver cancer is the fifth most common tumor and the second highest death-related cancer in the world. Hepatocarcinoma (HCC) represents 90% of liver cancers. According to the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer group, different treatment options could be offered to patients in consideration of tumor burden, liver function, patient performance status and biochemical marker serum concentration such as alpha-fetoprotein. Trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the treatment of choice in patients with diagnosis of unresectable HCC not eligible for liver transplantation, and preserved arterial supply. TACE is known to be safe and its complications are generally mild such as post-TACE syndrome, a self-resolving adverse event that occurs in about 90% of patients after the procedure. However, albeit rarely, more severe adverse events such as biloma, sepsis, hepatic failure, chemoagents induced toxicities, and post-TACE liver necrosis can occur. A prompt diagnosis of these clinical conditions is fundamental to prevent further complications. As a result, biliary stenosis could be a rare post-TACE necrosis complication and can be difficult to manage. Complications from untreated biliary strictures include recurring infections, jaundice, chronic cholestasis, and secondary biliary cirrhosis.
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BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori infection is the main cause of the most frequent gastroduodenal diseases. Because its prevalence is decreasing in developed countries, gastric biopsies are negative in several patients. By measuring ammonium in the gastric juice, EndoFaster allows to exclude H. pylori infection during endoscopy. This study aimed to assess the accuracy of device versions working with either 6 ml or 3 ml of gastric juice. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective study involved 12 endoscopic units. During endoscopy, EndoFaster testing was performed and standard five gastric biopsies were taken. The accuracy was calculated by considering histological assessment as the gold standard for H. pylori diagnosis. RESULTS: Gastric juice analysis was attempted in 1279 patients, but it failed in 131 (15.5%) and in 10 (2.3%), with the 6 ml and the 3 ml device, respectively (P < 0.001). Overall, EndoFaster detected H. pylori infection with an 86.3% sensitivity, 83.3% specificity, 52.7% positive predictive value, 96.6% negative predictive value and 83.8% accuracy. The performance was not affected either by ongoing proton pump inhibitor therapy or a previous H. pylori eradication. No significant difference in accuracy emerged between the two versions of the device. CONCLUSION: The novel version of the EndoFaster device operating with 3 ml gastric juice may be performed in virtually all patients, and it allows excluding H. pylori infection with a very high accuracy. Gastric biopsies can be avoided in a definite portion of cases without endoscopic lesions or other clinical indications.
Subject(s)
Ammonium Compounds , Helicobacter Infections , Helicobacter pylori , Ammonium Compounds/therapeutic use , Gastric Juice , Helicobacter Infections/diagnosis , Helicobacter Infections/drug therapy , Humans , Prospective Studies , Proton Pump Inhibitors/therapeutic useABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In patients with atrophic gastritis involving gastric body mucosa the pH value of gastric juice is distinctly increased, so that pH assessment would allow predict this precancerous lesion. We tested whether EndoFaster® - a device allowing real-time pH measure and H. pylori diagnosis - may optimize the need of taking gastric biopsies. METHODS: In this prospective, multicentre study, the accuracy of EndoFaster® for ruling out gastric atrophy involving corporal mucosa was assessed. Real-time pH and ammonium determination was performed by aspirating 3-6 ml gastric juice during endoscopy. Histology performed on 5 standard gastric biopsies was used as gold standard. RESULTS: A total of 1008 consecutive patients were observed in 12 centres. At histology, gastric body mucosa atrophy/metaplasia was detected in 65 (6.4%) cases, and a pH value >4.5 in the gastric juice was observed in 150 patients. The values of EndoFaster® performance in predicting the presence of atrophic gastritis were as follow: 51% sensitivity, 84% specificity, 18% PPV, 96% NPV, and 82% accuracy. The NPV value was not distinctly affected by neither ongoing proton pump inhibitor therapy nor H. pylori infection. By considering also data of ammonium concentrations, the values of EndoFaster® in detecting extensive atrophy on gastric mucosa were 74% sensitivity, 84% specificity, 24% PPV, 98% NPV, and 83% accuracy. CONCLUSION: The very high NPV of EndoFaster® might allow to safely rule out presence of atrophic gastritis, reducing the need of taking gastric biopsies in unselected patients managed in clinical practice.