The effect of early Helicobacter pylori eradication on the healing of ESD-induced artificial ulcers: A retrospective study

Outcome and risk factors of ulcer healing after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is widely utilized for the treatment of large adenomas, submucosal lesions, and early gastric cancer. A significant artificial ulcer typically forms after ESD. Delayed or incomplete healing of these ulcers can result in complications such as delayed bleeding and perforation. However, a comprehensive review of the outcomes and risk factors related to ulcer healing following ESD is currently lacking.

AIM

To assess ulcer healing outcomes and identify risk factors associated with delayed ulcer healing.

METHODS

Databases retrieved by computer include PubMed, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan Fang Data, and VIP. The study collects reports on ESD post-surgical ulcer healing outcomes and risk factors, using Stata 16.0 and RevMan 5.0 software for meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Our analysis included 12 studies, involving a total of 3430 patients. The meta-analysis revealed an overall healing rate of 65.55% for ulcers following ESD [odds ratio (OR) = 2.71; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.45-3.00]. The healing rate within eight weeks was 48.32% (OR = 0.76; 95%CI: 0.35-1.66), while the rate beyond eight weeks was 88.32% (OR = 6.73; 95%CI: 3.82-11.87). Risk factors included Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection (OR: = 5.32; 95%CI: 1.90-14.87; P = 0.001), ulcer size (OR = 2.08; 95%CI: 1.19-3.61; P = 0.01), lesion site (OR = 2.08; 95%CI: 1.19-3.11), and pathological type (OR = 1.64; 95%CI: 1.06-2.52). Diabetes (OR = 0.56; 95%CI: 0.05-5.80; P = 0.63) and duration of operation (OR = 1.00; 95%CI: 0.99-1.01; P = 0.96) were not significant factors.

CONCLUSION

The healing rate of ulcers following ESD is high after eight weeks. Risk factors affecting the healing process include H. pylori infection, ulcer size, lesion site, and pathological type.

The influence of family support during endoscopic submucosal dissection on patient's anxiety

Background

Psychological problems may promote peptic ulcers. Ulcer-like wounds can be formed after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). The influence of family support on the healing of gastric ESD-induced ulcers remains largely undetermined.

Objective

In the present study, we aimed to assess the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores and the incidence of post-ESD complications in patients with family support in the care process and those in the non-relative group.

Materials and methods

A total of 191 patients aged between 30 and 70 years who received gastric ESD were evaluated with the Chinese version of HADS. Differences in depression and anxiety between the two groups were compared using the chi-square test and t-test. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine whether anxiety and depression were the risk factors for post-ESD complications.

Results

The mean values of HADS-A (4.61 ± 2.89 vs. 5.56 ± 3.07, p = 0.042) and HADS-D (4.14 ± 3.03 vs. 4.97 ± 2.61, p = 0.048) scores were significantly lower in patients with accompanying relatives compared with those in the non-relative group. Besides, through the pre-ESD and post-ESD self-contrast, the scores of anxiety and depression in the relative-group were 0.57 and 0.56, respectively (p < 0.001), while those in the non-relative group were increased by 1.43 and 1.49, respectively (p < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that HADS-A, HADS-D scores, and age were significantly correlated with post-ESD abdominal pain (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The occurrence and degree of adverse emotions such as psychological anxiety and depression in patients who received gastric ESD with accompanying relatives during hospitalization may were reduced, and the incidence of gastric post-ESD abdominal pain may was also decreased.

Paving the way for small-molecule drug discovery

Small-molecule drugs are organic compounds affecting molecular pathways by targeting important proteins, which have a low molecular weight, making them penetrate cells easily. Small-molecule drugs can be developed from leads derived from rational drug design or isolated from natural resources. As commonly used medications, small-molecule drugs can be taken orally, which enter cells to act on intracellular targets. These characteristics make small-molecule drugs promising candidates for drug development, and they are increasingly favored in the pharmaceutical market. Despite the advancements in molecular genetics and effective new processes in drug development, the drugs currently used in clinical practice are inadequate due to their poor efficacy or severe side effects. Therefore, developing new safe and efficient drugs is a top priority for disease control and curing.

Helicobacter pylori Infection following Endoscopic Resection of Early Gastric Cancer

The role of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in patients following endoscopic resection of early gastric cancer (EGC) remains unclear. This article presents a review of literature published in the past 15 years. H. pylori-mediated persistent methylation levels are associated with the development of metachronous gastric cancer. The methylation of certain specific genes can be used to identify patients with a high risk of metachronous gastric cancer even after H. pylori eradication. H. pylori eradication after endoscopic resection should be performed as early as possible for eradication success and prevention of metachronous precancerous lesions. Although whether the eradication of H. pylori could prevent the development of metachronous cancer after endoscopic resection is controversial, several meta-analyses concluded that H. pylori eradication could reduce the incidence of metachronous gastric cancer significantly. In addition, H. pylori eradication in gastric cancer survivors after endoscopic resection could reduce healthcare cost and save lives in a cost-effective way. Taken together, H. pylori eradication after endoscopic resection of EGC is recommended as prevention for metachronous precancerous lesions and metachronous gastric cancer.