BACKGROUND/AIMS: The interaction between nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and Helicobacter pylori remains controversial. We retrospectively investigated whether H. pylori infection exacerbates severe gastric mucosal injury among chronic NSAID users. METHODS: From January 2010 to December 2013, a total of 245 long-term NSAID (including low-dose aspirin) users who had undergone an esophagogastroduodenoscopy and had been evaluated for H. pylori infection were enrolled at Okayama University Hospital and Tsuyama Chuo Hospital. The degree of gastric mucosal injury was assessed according to the modified Lanza score (MLS). Severe gastric mucosal injury was defined as an MLS > or =4. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: In the univariate analysis, age > or =75 years (odds ratio [OR], 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3 to 4.2), H. pylori-positivity (OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.2 to 3.5), and the concomitant use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) (OR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.26 to 0.86) were significantly associated with severe gastric mucosal injury. The multivariate analysis was adjusted by age and sex and demonstrated that H. pylori-positivity (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.0 to 3.3) and the concomitant use of PPIs (OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.28 to 0.99) significantly contributed to severe gastric mucosal injury. CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori infection exacerbates severe gastric mucosal injury among chronic NSAID users.
Aged ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/*adverse effects ; Case-Control Studies ; *Disease Progression ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Female ; Gastric Mucosa/*drug effects/*microbiology ; Helicobacter Infections/*complications/microbiology/pathology ; *Helicobacter pylori/drug effects ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Proton Pump Inhibitors/adverse effects ; Retrospective Studies

Background/Aims: The safety of gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in users of a P2Y12 receptor antagonist (P2Y12RA) under current guidelines has not been verified. Methods: Patients treated by gastric ESD at Okayama University Hospital between January 2013 and December 2020 were registered. The postoperative bleeding rates of patients (group A) who did not receive any antithrombotic drugs; patients (group B) receiving aspirin or cilostazol monotherapy; and P2Y12RA users (group C) those on including monotherapy or dual antiplatelet therapy were compared. The risk factors for post-ESD bleeding were examined in a multivariate analysis of patient background, tumor factors, and antithrombotic drug management. Results: Ultimately, 1,036 lesions (847 patients) were enrolled. The bleeding rates of group B and C were significantly higher than that of group A (p=0.012 and p<0.001, respectively), but there was no significant difference between group B and C (p=0.11). The postoperative bleeding rate was significantly higher in dual antiplatelet therapy than in P2Y12RA monotherapy (p=0.014). In multivariate analysis, tumor diameter ≥12 mm (odds ratio [OR], 4.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.99 to 9.31), anticoagulant use (OR, 4.03; 95% CI, 1.64 to 9.86), and P2Y12RA use (OR, 3.40; 95% CI, 1.07 to 10.70) were significant risk factors for postoperative bleeding. Conclusions P2Y12RA use is a risk factor for postoperative bleeding in patients who undergo ESD even if receiving drug management according to guidelines. Dual antiplatelet therapy carries a higher risk of bleeding than monotherapy.

Sometimes palliative radiotherapy (pRT) is not always used appropriately. In our institution, radiation oncologists started to participate the palliative care conferences from September 2021. Between September 2021 and August 2022, 26 (7.6%) of 341 patients presented at this conference were considered candidates for pRT. Finally, 11 patients (3.2%) underwent pRT (ulcerative breast cancer, 2; metastatic spinal cord compression, 1; re-irradiation, 6; peritoneal dissemination, 1; multiple liver metastases, 1). The participation of radiation oncologists at the palliative care conference is thought to facilitate the treatment option of palliative radiotherapy.