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Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is associated with gastric cancer. Early and accurate diagnosis of H. pylori infection can reduce risk of gastric cancer. Conventional white light imaging (WLI) and image-enhanced endoscopic (IEE) techniques such as narrow-band imaging (NBI), linked color imaging (LCI) and blue laser imaging (BLI) plays pivotal role in H. pylori diagnosis. This study aimed to determine diagnostic performance of real-time endoscopy between WLI and other IEE techniques for diagnosis of H. pylori infection. Methods: This prospective study compared endoscopic images by gastroscopy using WLI and IEE techniques (LCI, Magnifying-BLI, and Magnifying-NBI) at Thammasat University Hospital, Thailand between January 2020, and July 2021. All participants underwent gastroscopy. Three biopsies at gastric antrum and two biopsies at body were obtained for H.pylori diagnosis. H. pylori infection was defined as a positive test of either one of the following tests: rapid urease test, histopathology, H. pylori culture. Results: Of 167 dyspeptic patients undergoing gastroscopy, 100 were enrolled in this study. Overall H. pylori infection was 40%. Patients had the mean age of 59.1 years and 53% were males. Enlarged gastric folds and antral nodularity can predict H. pylori infection with 100% PPV, while fundic gland polyps and red streak provided 100% PPV for exclusion of H. pylori infection on WLI. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy for diagnosis of H. pylori infection for WLI were 80%, 71.7%, 65.3%, 84.3% and 75% respectively, while those for LCI were 90%, 70%, 66.7%, 91.3% and 78% respectively. M-NBI and M-BLI endoscopy demonstrated elongated pits in H. pylori-positive patients. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy for M-BLI were 95%, 80%, 76%, 96% and 86% respectively, whereas those for M-NBI were 92.5%, 86.7%, 82.2%, 94.6% and 89% respectively. Sensitivity of M-BLI was better than WLI, while sensitivities of LCI and M-NBI were also numerically higher than WLI without statistical difference (M-BLI 95%vs.WLI 80%, p = 0.03; M-NBI 92.5%vs.WLI 80%, p = 0.13; LCI 90%vs.WLI 80%, p = 0.22). Sensitivities of all IEE modes were not different from one another (LCI 90%vs.M-BLI 95%, p = 0.50; LCI 90%vs.M-NBI 92.5%, p = 1.00, M-BLI 95%vs.M-NBI 92.5%, p = 1.00). Conclusions: M-BLI significantly improved sensitivity of real-time endoscopic diagnosis of H. pylori infection compared with WLI. Enlarged gastric folds and antral nodularity could be reliable predictors for H. pylori infection, while fundic gland polyps and red streak could be important endoscopic findings for H. pylori-negative mucosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gastric cancer remains the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Significant number of gastric cancer patients presented with bleeding. Objective: This study aimed to identify risk factors and overall survival rates of bleeding gastric cancer patients. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted between 2007–2022 at tertiary care center in Thailand. Clinical information, endoscopic findings and histological type were extensively reviewed and were compared between bleeders and non-bleeders. Patients were monitored for at least 5 years. Results: There were 20,981 patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy during study period. Total of 201 gastric cancer patients were included in this study, 21 were excluded due to incomplete medical records. 180 gastric cancer patients were included with mean age of 60.5±14.3 years. There were 65 (36.1%) patients with gastrointestinal bleeding. Hypertension and chronic kidney disease were significantly more common in bleeders than non-bleeders (43.1% vs 23.5%, OR2.51, 95%CI 1.14.-5.52, p = 0.022; and 16.9% vs 5.2%, OR2.00, 95%CI 1.56–6.63, p = 0.025, respectively). current H. pylori infection was also significantly more common in bleeders than non-bleeders (84.6% vs. 55.7%, OR 4.39, 95%CI 1.90–10.12, p<0.001). Median overall survival of bleeders was significantly lower than non-bleeders (7±0.93 vs 10±2.10 months, p = 0.001). Conclusions: Bleeding gastric cancer was not an uncommon condition. Majority of patients presented at advanced stage with grave prognosis. Male gender, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and current H. pylori infection were reliable predictors for bleeding. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are the key to improve clinical outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gastric intestinal metaplasia (IM) can lead to gastric cancer. Until now, there have been limited studies of predictors for regression and progression of IM. This study aimed to determine risk factors associated with regression or progression of IM for guiding proper management and prevention of gastric cancer. Methods: 2,025 patients undergoing gastroscopy in Thammasat University Hospital, Thailand were enrolled during September 2017-August 2019. Patients' data including baseline characteristics, laboratory results, and histopathology of gastric biopsies from University medical database were extensively reviewed. Results: 2,025 patients had mean age of 61.3 years and 44.2% were males. Overall H. pylori prevalence was 47.5%. There were 1,551(76.6%) patients with chronic gastritis and 361(17.8%) with IM. Of 400 patients with chronic gastritis having follow-up endoscopy and repeated gastric biopsies, 104(26%) had persistent H. pylori infection and 27(26%) developed IM during mean follow-up time of 24 months. Persistent H. pylori infection was significantly associated with development of IM (OR 3.16, 95%CI 1.56–6.39, p = 0.001). Regression, persistence, and progression of IM were demonstrated in 57.3%, 39.2%, and 3.5% of patients, respectively. Age >65 years, persistent H. pylori infection, and diabetes mellitus were significantly associated with persistent IM or progression to dysplasia with OR 2.47(95%CI 1.33–4.61, p = 0.004), OR 2.64(95%CI 1.13–6.18, p = 0.025), and OR 2.54(95%CI 1.16–5.54, p = 0.019), respectively. Patients without H. pylori infection had more IM regression than patients with persistent infection (60.4%vs.39.4%, p = 0.035). Patients with persistent H. pylori infection significantly had higher IM progression to dysplasia (15.2%vs.2.1%; OR 11.15, 95%CI 1.18–105.24, p = 0.035) than noninfected. During 24 months of study, 30 patients (1.5%) were diagnosed with gastric cancer. Conclusion: Regression of IM could be achieved by successful H. pylori eradication. Persistent H. pylori infection was significantly associated with development and progression of IM to dysplasia. Age >65 years and diabetes mellitus were also significant predictors for IM progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gastric intestinal metaplasia (IM) is precancerous lesion of gastric cancer related to H. pylori infection. There has been limited data about IM and associated risk factors. This study aimed to determine risk factors related to development of IM to guide proper management. Methods: 1,370 patients undergoing UGI endoscopy at Thammasat University Hospital, Thailand were included between January 2018-August 2019. Patients' data including baseline characteristics, laboratory results, and histopathology from medical database were extensively reviewed. Immunohistochemical staining for p53 expression from gastric biopsies was also performed. Results: Overall H. pylori prevalence was 43.8%. Mean age was 60.7 years and 45% of whom were males. Chronic gastritis was observed in 1,064(77.7%) patients, while 223(16.3%) had IM. Of 223 patients with IM, 194(87%) patients had complete IM, while 29 (13%) had incomplete IM. In groups of complete and incomplete IM, current H. pylori infection rates were 66.5% and 58.6%, respectively. The BMI of incomplete IM group(27.4) was significantly higher than BMI of complete IM group (23.6). Overweight and obese patients (BMI ≥23 kg/m2) were significantly associated with higher risk for the development of incomplete IM (OR 3.25; 95%CI 1.14–9.27, p = 0.027). Males, age >50 years, and current H. pylori infection were significantly higher in IM than chronic gastritis group with OR 1.43 (95%CI 1.01–2.03, p = 0.048), OR 1.67 (95% CI 1.08–2.57, p = 0.021), and OR 3.14 (95% CI 2.29–4.30, p<0.001), respectively. During 20 months of study, there were 15 patients (1.1%) diagnosed with gastric cancer and 1-year survival rate was only 60%. Conclusions: Males, age >50 years, and current H. pylori infection are significant predictors for the presence of intestinal metaplasia. BMI might be beneficial for using as a predictive risk factor to reduce the development of incomplete intestinal metaplasia. H. pylori eradication could be an effective way to prevent the development of gastric precancerous lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serum pepsinogens have been widely acknowledged as gastric mucosal biomarkers; however, a multicountry report on the benefits of pepsinogens as biomarkers has not yet been published. We analyzed 1,206 sera and gastric mucosal samples collected from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal and Thailand then assessed the association between gastric mucosal changes and Helicobacter pylori infection. The new cutoff values for serum pepsinogen values were evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic analysis. The participants with H. pylori infection had significantly lower pepsinogen I and higher pepsinogen II values, but a lower pepsinogen I/II ratio than participants without the infection (all P <.001). The pepsinogen I and pepsinogen I/II values were significantly higher and lower, respectively, in individuals with atrophic gastritis than in those without (both P <.001). Among uninfected individuals, only the pepsinogen I/II ratio was significantly lower in atrophic individuals. Pepsinogen I/II ratio also were significantly different between disease among H. pylori-positive and H. pylori-negative individuals, suggesting the pepsinogen I/II ratio is a robust biomarker for determining both chronic and atrophic gastritis. The cutoffs for detecting chronic and atrophic gastritis for the pepsinogen I/II ratio were 4.65 and 4.95, respectively. In conclusion, pepsinogen levels are useful biomarker for both chronic gastritis and atrophic gastritis, but they should be used with caution. Population-based validation is necessary to determine the best cutoff values. Among all pepsinogen values, the pepsinogen I/II ratio was the most reliable gastric mucosal-change biomarker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The risk to develop gastric cancer in Thailand is relatively low among Asian countries. In addition, the age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) of gastric cancer in Thailand varies with geographical distribution; the ASR in the North region is 3.5 times higher than that in the South region. We hypothesized that the prevalence of H. pylori infection and diversity of CagA phenotype contributes to the variety of gastric cancer risk in various regions of Thailand. Methods: We conducted a nationwide survey within Thailand. We determined H. pylori infection prevalence by detecting H. pylori, using histochemical and immunohistochemical methods. The anti-CagA antibody and anti-East-Asian type CagA antibody (α-EAS Ab), which showed high accuracy in several East Asian countries, were used to determine CagA phenotype. Results: Among 1,546 patients from four regions, including 17 provinces, the overall prevalence of H. pylori infection was 45.9% (710/1,546). Mirroring the prevalence of H. pylori infection, histological scores were the lowest in the South region. Of the 710 H. pylori-positive patients, 93.2% (662) were immunoreactive with the anti-CagA antibody. CagA-negative strain prevalence in the South region was significantly higher than that in other regions (17.9%; 5/28; p < 0.05). Overall, only 77 patients (11.6%) were immunoreactive with the α-EAS Ab. There were no differences in the α-EAS Ab immunoreactive rate across geographical regions. Conclusions: This is the first study using immunohistochemistry to confirm H. pylori infections across different regions in Thailand. The prevalence of East-Asian type CagA H. pylori in Thailand was low. The low incidence of gastric cancer in Thailand may be attributed to the low prevalence of precancerous lesions. The low incidence of gastric cancer in the South region might be associated with the lower prevalence of H. pylori infection, precancerous lesions, and CagA-positive H. pylori strains, compared with that in the other regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Gastric cancer is a major health burden in the Asia–Pacific region but consensus on prevention strategies has been lacking. We aimed to critically evaluate strategies for preventing gastric cancer. Methods: A multidisciplinary group developed consensus statements using a Delphi approach. Relevant data were presented, and the quality of evidence, strength of recommendation, and level of consensus were graded. Results: Helicobacter pylori infection is a necessary but not sufficient causal factor for non-cardia gastric adenocarcinoma. A high intake of salt is strongly associated with gastric cancer. Fresh fruits and vegetables are protective but the use of vitamins and other dietary supplements does not prevent gastric cancer. Host–bacterial interaction in H. pylori infection results in different patterns of gastritis and differences in gastric acid secretion which determine disease outcome. A positive family history of gastric cancer is an important risk factor. Low serum pepsinogens reflect gastric atrophy and may be useful as a marker to identify populations at high risk for gastric cancer. H. pylori screening and treatment is a recommended gastric cancer risk reduction strategy in high-risk populations. H. pylori screening and treatment is most effective before atrophic gastritis has developed. It does not exclude the existing practice of gastric cancer surveillance in high-risk populations. In populations at low risk for gastric cancer, H. pylori screening is not recommended. First-line treatment of H. pylori infection should be in accordance with national treatment guidelines. Conclusion: A strategy of H. pylori screening and eradication in high-risk populations will probably reduce gastric cancer incidence, and based on current evidence is recommended by consensus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]