OBJECTIVES: To study the clinical manifestations and gastroscopic characteristics of upper gastrointestinal ulcer in children. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed for the children who underwent gastroscopy and were found to have upper gastrointestinal ulcer for the first time at the Endoscopy Center of Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, from January 2011 to May 2021. According to the cause of the disease, they were divided into primary ulcer group (primary group; n=148) and secondary ulcer group (secondary group; n=25). The clinical data were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 173 children with upper gastrointestinal ulcer were enrolled, with a male/female ratio of 3.9:1. Compared with girls, boys had significantly higher proportions of duodenal ulcer and primary ulcer (P<0.05). Compared with the children aged below 6 years, the children aged 6-14 years had higher proportions of duodenal ulcer and primary ulcer and lower proportions of giant ulcer and multiple ulcers. Of the 148 children in the primary group, 95 (64.2%) had Helicobacter pylori infection. Abdominal pain was the most common clinical symptom and was observed in 101 children (68.2%). Duodenal ulcer was common and was observed in 115 children (77.7%), followed by gastric ulcer in 25 children (16.9%) and esophageal ulcer in 7 children (4.7%). Multiple ulcers were observed in 32 children (21.6%). Seventy children (47.3%) experienced complications, among which bleeding was the most common complication and was observed in 63 children (43.6%). Of the 25 children in the secondary group, abdominal pain was the most common clinical symptom and was observed in 9 children (36.0%), with a significantly lower incidence rate than the primary group (P<0.05); foreign body in the digestive tract was the most common cause of ulcer and was observed in 17 children (68%), followed by abdominal Henoch-Schönlein purpura in 5 children (20.0%) and Crohn's disease in 3 children (12.0%). The secondary group had a significantly higher proportion of multiple ulcer or giant ulcer than the primary group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Upper gastrointestinal ulcer is more common in boys than girls, and duodenal ulcer and primary ulcer are more common in boys. Children aged 6-14 years often have duodenal ulcer and primary ulcer, and giant ulcer and multiple ulcers are relatively uncommon. Primary ulcer in children has a variety of clinical manifestations, mainly abdominal pain, and duodenal ulcer is relatively common, with bleeding as the main complication. The clinical symptoms and endoscopic manifestations of secondary ulcer are closely associated with the primary causes, and it is more likely to induce huge ulcers and multiple ulcers.
Abdominal Pain ; Child ; Duodenal Ulcer/epidemiology* ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal/adverse effects* ; Female ; Helicobacter Infections/diagnosis* ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Ulcer

BACKGROUND: Functional dyspepsia (FD) has rarely been investigated in areas with a high prevalence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). This study aims to reveal the epidemiological and clinical features of FD and organic dyspepsia (OD) in such a population. METHODS: A middle-aged and elderly population-based study was conducted in a region with a high incidence of ESCC. All participants completed the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Questionnaire and Functional Gastrointestinal Disease Rome III Diagnostic Questionnaire, and they underwent gastroscopy. After exclusion of gastroesophageal reflux disease, uninvestigated dyspepsia (UID) was divided into OD and FD for further analyses. RESULTS: A total of 2916 participants were enrolled from July 2013 to March 2014 in China. We detected 166 UID cases with questionnaires, in which 17 patients with OD and 149 with FD were diagnosed via gastroscopy. OD cases presented as reflux esophagitis (RE), ESCC, and duodenal ulcer. Heartburn (52.94%) and reflux (29.41%) were common in OD, but no symptomatic differences were found between FD and OD. Male sex, low education level, and liquid food were the risk factors for OD, while frequent fresh vegetable consumption was a protective factor. FD included 56 (37.58%) cases of postprandial distress syndrome (PDS), 52 (34.89%) of epigastric pain syndrome (EPS), nine (6.04%) of PDS + EPS, and 32 (21.48%) of FD + functional esophageal disorders. The Helicobacter pylori infection rate in FD patients was not higher than that in the control group (34.23% vs. 42.26%, P = 0.240). Frequent spicy food consumption was associated with PDS (odds ratio [OR]: 2.088, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.028-4.243), while consumption of deep well water was protective for PDS (OR: 0.431, 95% CI: 0.251-0.741). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of FD was 5.11% in the studied population. Gastroscopy should be prescribed for dyspepsia patients in case that ESCC and RE would be missed in UID cases diagnosed solely by the Rome III questionnaire. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01688908; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT01688908.
Aged ; China/epidemiology* ; Dyspepsia/epidemiology* ; Esophageal Neoplasms/epidemiology* ; Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma ; Helicobacter Infections ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged

China is a country with high incidence of gastric cancer, most of which are advanced gastric cancer, accounting for about half of the new cases in the world. Environmental factors play a crucial role in the occurrence and development of gastric cancer. Helicobacter pylori and Epstein Barr virus(EBV) infection have been confirmed as one of the important pathogenic factors of gastric cancer. With the development and application of molecular biology and sequencing technology, molecular typing based on patient genetic characteristics has been proposed to guide accurate treatment and predict prognosis. Surgery is the cornerstone of gastric cancer treatment. Laparoscopy has been developing rapidly in the past 20 years on account of its clinical application advantages such as minimally invasive and magnified visual field and refined anatomy, making it one of the standard treatment options for early gastric cancer, with its indications for the treatment of gastric cancer continuously expanding. The application of endoscopic treatment and reduction surgery for early gastric cancer further improves the quality of life of patients, and surgical treatment of gastric cancer tends to be precise and minimally invasive. The comprehensive treatment of surgery combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy is a standard treatment of local advanced gastric cancer. The exploration of related drugs and treatment models is the current research hotspot, and the development and application of targeted therapy and immunotherapy provide more choices in this field. The treatment of advanced gastric cancer is focused on the exploration of chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy. Some studies have shown good prospects and provided more opportunities for conversion therapy. This article will share the new developments in the field of gastric cancer research in 2018.
China ; epidemiology ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; complications ; Helicobacter Infections ; complications ; Helicobacter pylori ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Prognosis ; Stomach Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; etiology ; pathology ; therapy

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication has been widely used. The recurrence rate of H. pylori after eradication and its related factors are gaining more and more attention. Our study aimed to determine the recurrence rate of H. pylori infection after successful eradication, and analyze its influential factors. METHODS: We prospectively studied 1050 patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms who were diagnosed as H. pylori infection by gastroscopy and underwent eradication therapies from April 2013 to January 2014. The C-urea breath test (UBT) or Warthin-Starry (WS) staining was done at 8 to 12 weeks after the therapy. Patients with successful eradication were followed by repeated UBT or gastroscopy at one year and 3 years after therapy, as well as, questionnaire surveys. Recurrence was considered if the UBTs or WS staining of biopsy were positive. One-year and 3-year recurrence rates were calculated, and analyzed the differences between recurred patients and others in basic data, sociological characteristics, lifestyle. RESULTS: A total of 743 patients finished the 1-year follow-up, and the 1-year recurrence rate was 1.75%. Of the 607 patients who finished the 3-year follow-up, 28 patients recurred, and the 3-year recurrence rate was 4.61%. Analysis of variance showed that low-income, poor hygiene condition of dining out place, and receiving invasive diagnoses or treatments were significant risk factors for H. pylori infection recurrence. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the combination of invasive diagnoses or treatments, the level of income, and the hygiene standard of dining out place were significant and independent influential factors of the recurrence of H. pylori. CONCLUSIONS The 1-year and 3-year recurrence rates of H. pylori infection after eradication therapy are 1.75% and 4.61%. Low-income, poor hygiene condition of dining out place, and a combination of invasive diagnoses or treatments are independent risk factors of H. pylori recurrence.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Gastroscopy ; Helicobacter Infections ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Helicobacter pylori ; pathogenicity ; Humans ; Incidence ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: This work aimed to identify the risk factors of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in preschool children and provide effective measures for the prevention and reduction of the incidence of H. pylori infections. METHODS: A total of 204 children from two kindergartens in Suzhou city were recruited through a questionnaire survey. Risk factors were selected through the single factor paired data χ² test and multiple factor Logistic regression analysis. Oral and gastric H. pylori infections were detected by using H. pylori saliva detection (HPS) and ¹³C-urea breath test (¹³C-UBT). Special toothpaste for H. pylori control was selected for oral cleaning. Oral H. pylori infection rates at 2 months after special toothpaste treatment were examined by using HPS. RESULTS: The high-risk factors of H. pylori infections among preschool children included poor personal hygiene habits, such as the nibbling of fingers and the avoidance of hand-washing before meals, diet, and parent's history of stomach disease. Among the 204 subjects enrolled in this study, 158 (77.45%), 37 (18.14%), and 28 (13.73%) were HPS positive, ¹³C-UBT positive, and HPS and ¹³C-UBT positive, respectively. The incidence of oral H. pylori infections was significantly higher than that of gastric H. pylori infections (P<0.01). The positive rate of infections significantly decreased after special toothpaste treatment (P<0.01). This result indicates that the intervention was effective. CONCLUSIONS Children must receive education on good eating habits. Individualized dining habits or the use of public chopsticks must be implemented. H. pylori infections must be detected as early as possible. Specific toothpaste for oral cleaning must be selected. These approaches could drastically prevent or reduce the incidence of H. pylori infections among preschool children.
Breath Tests ; Child, Preschool ; Helicobacter Infections ; epidemiology ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Risk Factors ; Urea

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Controversy exists regarding the characteristics of Helicobacter pylori infection-negative gastric cancer (HPIN-GC). The aim of this study was to evaluate clinicopathologic features of HPIN-GC compared to H. pylori infection-positive gastric cancer (HPIP-GC) using a comprehensive analysis that included genetic and environmental factors. METHODS: H. pylori infection status of 705 resectable gastric cancer patients was determined by the rapid urease test, testing for anti-H. pylori antibodies, histologic analysis and culture of gastric cancer tissue samples, and history of H. pylori eradication. HPIN-GC was defined as gastric cancer that was negative for H. pylori infection based on all five methods and that had no evidence of atrophy in histology or serology. RESULTS: The prevalence of HPIN-GC was 4% (28/705). No significant differences with respect to age, sex, smoking, drinking, family history of gastric cancer or obesity were observed between the two groups. HPIN-GC tumors were marginally more likely to involve the cardia (14.3% for HPIN-GC vs 5.3% for HPIP-GC, p=0.068). The Lauren classification, histology, and TNM stage did not differ according to H. pylori infection status. Microsatellite instability was not different between the two groups, but p53 overexpression in HPIN-GC was marginally higher than in HPIP-GC (56.0% for HPIN-GC vs 37.0% for HPIP-GC, p=0.055). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of HPIN-GC was extremely low, and its clinicopathologic characteristics were similar to HPIP-GC.
Antibodies, Bacterial/analysis ; Female ; Helicobacter Infections/*complications/epidemiology/microbiology ; *Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Prospective Studies ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Stomach Neoplasms/epidemiology/*microbiology/*pathology/surgery ; Urease/analysis

OBJECTIVETo study the role of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in newly diagnosed childhood immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).

METHODSA total of 495 children with newly diagnosed ITP who were hospitalized for the first time between January 2011 and December 2013 were included as the case group. A total of 123 children with common respiratory tract infection (not ITP or other diseases of blood system) were randomly selected as the control group. All patients were divided into four groups by age: <1 year group, 1-3 years group, 3-7 years group, and 7-14 years group. The incidence of H. pylori infection in all age groups and the clinical outcomes of ITP children with or without H. pylori infection were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSThe incidence rate of H. pylori infection in the case group increased with increasing age. There was no significant difference in the incidence rate of H. pylori infection between the case and the control groups among subjects of the same age (P>0.05). All the ITP patients were not given anti-H. pylori treatment and only received the treatment (glucocorticoid and/or immunoglobulin) for ITP, and their remission rate declined with increasing age. There was no significant difference in the remission rate between the ITP children with H. pylori infection and those without H. pylori infection in the same age group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSH. pylori infection may not be a major cause of ITP in children, and the clinical outcomes of children with acute ITP are not affected by receiving anti-H. pylori treatment or not.

Adolescent ; Age Factors ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Helicobacter Infections ; complications ; epidemiology ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Male ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; etiology

The efficacy of seven-day clarithromycin-based standard triple therapy (STT) for Helicobacter pylori has decreased in Korea over the past decade. The aim of this meta-analysis was to clarify the efficacy of first-line and second-line therapies in Korea. This systematic review will provide an overview of H. pylori eradication and present new therapeutic strategies used in Korea. An extensive search of the literature concerning STT, sequential therapy (SET), concomitant therapy (CT), bismuth-containing quadruple therapy (BCQT) and various other therapies used in Korea was performed. All selected studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Eighteen RCTs were eligible for systematic review. The alternative regimens comparing seven-day STT as a first-line therapy include SET, CT, levofloxacin-based therapy (LBT), BCQT, and STT with prolonged duration. The results of the meta-analysis suggest that SET is superior to seven-day STT. The overall eradication rate by intention to treat (ITT) analysis was 69.8% for STT and 79.7% for SET. The overall eradication rate by per-protocol (PP) analysis was 77.0% for STT and 85.0% for SET. The odds ratios for the ITT and PP eradication rate were 0.57 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.43 to 0.74) and 0.52 (95% CI, 0.35 to 0.76), respectively. In the subgroup analysis, however, there were no significant differences between SET and STT with prolonged durations. Alternative regimens to seven-day BCQT as second-line therapy include LBT, moxifloxacin-based therapy and 14-day BCQT. The eradication rates of these alternative regimens were not superior to that of the conventional treatment. SET is superior to seven-day STT but not to STT with prolonged duration.
Anti-Bacterial Agents/*administration & dosage/classification ; Evidence-Based Medicine ; Female ; Helicobacter Infections/*drug therapy/*epidemiology/microbiology ; Helicobacter pylori/*drug effects ; Humans ; Male ; Practice Patterns, Physicians'/*statistics & numerical data ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Risk Assessment ; Treatment Outcome

Most gastric cancers are caused by infection with the common human bacterial pathogen, Helicobacter pylori. It is now accepted that gastric cancer can be prevented and virtually eliminated by H. pylori eradication and this knowledge was responsible for country-wide H. pylori eradication combined with secondary cancer prevention for those with residual risk that was introduced in Japan in 2013. Korea is a high H. pylori prevalence and high gastric cancer incidence country and a good candidate for a gastric cancer elimination program. The presence of an H. pylori infection is now considered as an indication for treatment of the infection. However, antimicrobial drug resistance is common among H. pylori in Korea making effective therapy problematic. Country-wide studies of the local and regional antimicrobial resistance patterns are needed to choose the most appropriate therapies. H. pylori and gastric cancer eradication can be both efficient and cost effective making it possible and practical to make Korea H. pylori and gastric cancer free. There is no reason to delay.
Anti-Bacterial Agents/*therapeutic use ; Disease Eradication ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Helicobacter Infections/*drug therapy/epidemiology/microbiology ; Helicobacter pylori/*drug effects/growth & development ; Humans ; Prevalence ; Primary Prevention/*methods ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors ; Stomach Neoplasms/epidemiology/microbiology/*prevention & control ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The connection between Helicobacter pylori and complicated peptic ulcer disease in peptic ulcer bleeding (PUB) patients taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs has not been established. In this study, we sought to determine whether delayed H. pylori eradication therapy in PUB patients increases complicated recurrent peptic ulcers. METHODS: We identified inpatient PUB patients using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. We categorized patients into early (time lag < or =120 days after peptic ulcer diagnosis) and late H. pylori eradication therapy groups. The Cox proportional hazards model was used. The primary outcome was rehospitalization for patients with complicated recurrent peptic ulcers. RESULTS: Our data indicated that the late H. pylori eradication therapy group had a higher rate of complicated recurrent peptic ulcers (hazard ratio [HR], 1.52; p=0.006), with time lags of more than 120 days. However, our results indicated a similar risk of complicated recurrent peptic ulcers (HR, 1.20; p=0.275) in time lags of more than 1 year and (HR, 1.10; p=0.621) more than 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori eradication within 120 days was associated with decreased complicated recurrent peptic ulcers in patients with PUB. We recommend that H. pylori eradication should be conducted within 120 days in patients with PUB.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Helicobacter Infections/*drug therapy ; *Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Patient Readmission/*statistics & numerical data ; Peptic Ulcer/complications/*epidemiology/microbiology ; Peptic Ulcer Hemorrhage/complications ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Recurrence ; Time-to-Treatment/*statistics & numerical data ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult