Operative link on gastritis assessment stage is an appropriate predictor of early gastric cancer

AIM: To assess the predictive value of Operative Link on Gastritis Assessment(OLGA) and Operative Link on Gastric Intestinal Metaplasia Assessment(OLGIM) stages in gastric cancer.METHODS: A prospective study was conducted with 71 patients with early gastric cancer(EGC) and 156 patients with non-EGC. All patients underwent endoscopic examination and systematic biopsy. Outcome measures were assessed and compared, including the Japanese endoscopic gastric atrophy(EGA) classification method and the modified OLGA method as well as the modified OLGIM method. Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) status was determined for all study participants. Stepwise logistic regression modeling was performed to analyze correlations between EGC and the EGA, OLGA and OLGIM methods.RESULTS: For patients with EGC and patients with non-EGC, the proportions of moderate-to-severe EGA cases were 64.8% and 44.9%, respectively(P = 0.005), the proportions of OLGA stages Ⅲ-Ⅳ cases were 52.1% and 22.4%, respectively(P < 0.001), and the proportions of OLGIM stages Ⅲ-Ⅳ cases were42.3% and 19.9%, respectively(P < 0.001). OLGA stage and OLGIM stage were significantly related to EGA classification; specifically, logistic regression modeling showed significant correlations between EGC and moderate-to-severe EGA(OR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.06-3.58, P = 0.031) and OLGA stages Ⅲ-Ⅳ(OR = 3.14, 95%CI: 1.71-5.81, P < 0.001), but no significant correlation between EGC and OLGIM stages Ⅲ-Ⅳ(P = 0.781). H. pylori infection rate was significantly higher in patients with moderate-to-severe EGA(75.0% vs 54.1%, P = 0.001) or OLGA/OLGIM stages Ⅲ-Ⅳ(OLGA: 83.6% vs 55.8%, P < 0.001; OLGIM: 83.6% vs 57.8%, P < 0.001).CONCLUSION: OLGA classification is optimal for EGC screening. A surveillance program including OLGA stage and H. pylori infection status may facilitate early detection of gastric cancer.

Factors affecting occurrence of gastric varioliform lesions: A case-control study

AIM: To investigate the factors influencing the occurrence of gastric varioliform lesions(GVLs) and their possible link with gastric cancer.METHODS: A 1:1 matched case-control study was performed to retrospectively analyze data from 1638 chronic gastritis patients who had undergone gastroscopy at one of two Chinese hospitals between 2009 and 2014. Patients with GVLs(cases) were compared to those without such lesions(controls). Endoscopic and pathological findings were recorded, along with interview information on Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infection, medical, drug and family histories, lifestyle and eating habits. The association between each factor and the occurrence of GVLs was estimated, and then multivariate conditional logistic regression was used to evaluate the independent factors.RESULTS: The frequency and severity of glandular atrophy, intestinal metaplasia(IM) and low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia were significantly increased in the GVL group(P < 0.01). Overall analysis showed that H. pylori infection [3.051(2.157, 4.317), P <0.001], allergic respiratory diseases [3.636(2.183, 6.055), P < 0.001], work-related stress [2.019(1.568, 2.600), P < 0.001], irregular meals [2.300(1.462, 3.619), P < 0.001], high intake of spicy food [1.754(1.227, 2.507), P = 0.002] and high intake of fresh fruit [0.231(0.101, 0.529), P = 0.001] were significantly correlated with the occurrence of GVLs(positively, except for the latter). Stratified analyses indicated that pickled food consumption in patients over 50 years old [7.224(2.360, 22.115), P = 0.001] and excessive smoking in men [2.013(1.282, 3.163), P = 0.002] were also positively correlated, and that, for antral GVLs, vegetable consumption [0.491(0.311, 0.776), P = 0.002] was negatively correlated. CONCLUSION: Seven risk factors and two protective factors are determined for GVLs, which were found to be associated with premalignant abnormalities.

Hyperamylasemia is associated with increased intestinal permeability in patients undergoing diagnostic oral double-balloon enteroscopy

AIM:To investigate the correlations between serum amylase levels,intestinal permeability(IP),and pancreatic injury and to explore the mechanisms responsible for hyperamylasemia in double-balloon enteroscopy(DBE).METHODS:A prospective study was conducted in 20patients who underwent DBE from August 1,2008 to February 28,2009.Serum amylase was examined 0,2,6 and 24 h post-DBE,C-reactive protein and lipase were examined at 24 h,and urine lactulose,mannitol,and trypsinogen-Ⅱ(TRY-Ⅱ)levels were measured at6 h.Lactulose/mannitol ratio indicated IP,and TRY-Ⅱindicated pancreatic injuries.Procedure duration and enteroscope insertion length were recorded.RESULTS:Twelve patients underwent oral DBE(M:F,5:7;mean age 50.42±11.11 years)and 8 underwent anal DBE(M:F,5:3;mean age 44.75±12.66 years).They all showed significantly increased post-DBE serum amylase.Amylase and lipase levels were higher in the oral DBE group(P<0.05).Hyperamylasemia was diagnosed in 9(75.0%)patients undergoing oral DBE.Only patients receiving oral DBE showed increased postprocedure IP,which correlated with increased serum amylase(r=0.611,P=0.035)and procedure duration(r=0.668,P=0.018).Adverse events included one oral case with pancreatic injury(elevated TRY-Ⅱ)and two cases of abdominal discomfort in each group.Pancreatitis was not reported.CONCLUSION:Hyperamylasemia correlates with increased IP and clinically undetectable pancreatic injuries.DBE could cause intestinal mucosa damage,which may result in IP elevation and increased amylase absorption,necessitating improvements and standardization of DBE methods.