Association of esophageal inflammation, obesity and gastroesophageal reflux disease: from FDG PET/CT perspective

Effect of Body Weight and Obesity on Esophageal Function

The incidence of obesity in the population is gradually increasing. Obesity can cause a variety of complications in the digestive system such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, and impacts the integrity of the esophageal mucosal barrier and esophageal motility. However, not many studies have focused on the effect of varying degrees of obesity on the esophagus. A total of 611 participants were included in this study. We divided them into three groups according to their body mass index (BMI): the normal weight group, the overweight group, and the obesity group. We performed a retrospective comparison between groups based on indicators from high resolution esophageal manometry (HREM) and 24-hour pH impedance monitoring, and did a correlation analysis on multiple indicators such as esophageal mucosal barrier, esophageal motility, and acid reflux. The mean nocturnal baseline impedance (MNBI) in the overweight and obesity groups was lower than that in the normal group. The MNBI of the subjects in Z5-Z6 channels in the overweight group was significantly lower than that in the normal group. With respect to Z3-Z6 channels, MNBI values in the obesity group were significantly lower than those in the normal group. 'The acid exposure time (AET), the DeMeester scores (DMS) and 24-hour total reflux episodes was significantly higher in the obesity group than those in the normal and overweight groups. The upper esophageal sphincter (UES) residual pressure, and intrabolus pressure (IBP) in the overweight and obesity groups were significantly higher than those in the normal group. In addition, lower esophageal sphincter (LES) resting pressure, and esophagogastric junction contractile integral (EGJ-CI) in the obesity group were significantly higher than those in the normal group. We found that increase in body weight affected the integrity of esophageal mucosa, and different degrees of increase associated with different degrees and different aspects of changes in esophageal motility.

Hypermetabolic Esophagitis Dessicans Superficialis Mimicking Esophageal Cancer on FDG PET/CT

ABSTRACT

An 83-year-old man with history of multiple myeloma obtained an FDG PET/CT for surveillance. Although there was no evidence of metabolically active myeloma, an incidental highly FDG-avid focus was noted at the gastroesophageal junction. Findings were interpreted as malignancy. The patient underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy, which showed nonerythematous desquamation of the distal esophagus consistent with esophagitis dessicans superficialis (EDS) without any evidence of malignancy. There is paucity of literature regarding EDS and its image findings. This case illustrates an instance of focal mass-like uptake on FDG PET/CT, which represents an endoscopy- and pathology-confirmed EDS and mimics esophageal cancer.

Association of Incidence of Acid-related Upper Gastrointestinal Disorders With Glycated Hemoglobin Level

CONTEXT

Previous cross-sectional studies show diabetes and higher levels of plasma hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) are associated with a higher prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) complications. However, whether the glycemic status is associated with incident acid-related upper GI disorders remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to determine the effect of hyperglycemia per se, in terms of HbA1c, on the incidence of acid-related disorders.

METHODS

We analyzed consecutive subjects who had undergone repeated upper endoscopies as part of the health examinations at the National Taiwan University Hospital from 2005 to 2011. Acid-related endoscopic abnormalities were defined as erosive esophagitis (EE), Barrett's esophagus (BE), and peptic ulcer disease (PUD), which included gastric ulcers (GUs) and duodenal ulcers (DUs). All subjects were categorized by 3 tertiles of HbA1c levels. We analyzed the occurrence of respective acid-related disorders during the follow-up period.

RESULTS

A total of 11 391 participants (mean HbA1c level 5.6 ± 0.7%) were enrolled in this longitudinal study. During the 38 426.3 person-years of follow-up (mean duration 3.37 ± 1.59 years), the incidence of EE, BE, GU, DU, PUD, and any acid-related disorders were 22.1%, 0.5%, 4.5%, 8.6%, 12.3%, and 30.3%, respectively. The higher HbA1c level was associated with higher risk of disease incidents, except BE, during the follow-up (all log-rank P < .001). In the Cox regression analyses with confounding factors fully adjusted, the hazard ratios for EE, GU, DU, PUD, and acid-related disorders were 1.174, 1.339, 1.24, 1.24, and 1.186, respectively, for the third tertile of HbA1c (all P < .05).

CONCLUSION

Higher HbA1c level was associated with a higher risk of acid-related upper GI endoscopic abnormalities. Efforts toward better glycemic control may help to prevent the development of late GI complications.

Abdominal obesity increases the risk of reflux esophagitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The association between abdominal obesity and reflux esophagitis (RE) has been extensively evaluated, but the current findings are mixed and more convincing epidemiological evidence urgently needs to be established. To thoroughly explore this relationship, we summarized the latest studies, performed an updated meta-analysis, and examined the dose-response relationship.

METHODS

We performed a systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase up to 28 March 2021, using prespecified terms to identify studies investigating the association between abdominal obesity and RE. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), mean differences (MDs) or standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% CIs were taken as effect-size estimates.

RESULTS

Forty-two observational studies, including 11 cohort studies, were meta-analyzed. Overall, a statistically significant association was observed between abdominal obesity and RE, by both the pooled OR (adjusted OR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.37-1.66, p < .001) and the pooled SMD (SMD = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.30-0.42, p < .001). Moreover, this significant relationship persisted with subgroup stratification. In subgroup analyses, we found that study design, abdominal obesity measurement, adjustment for covariates and sex were possible sources of between-study heterogeneity. For the dose-response analyses, the risk of RE increased with the degree of abdominal obesity, and the increasing trend accelerated when waist circumference (WC) reached 87.0 cm.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis indicated a significant association between abdominal obesity and RE, and the risk of RE increased with abdominal obesity especially when the WC was over 87.0 cm.

Obesity and its effects on the esophageal mucosal barrier

Obesity is associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and its complications including reflux esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus, and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Traditionally, these associations have been attributed to the mechanical effect of abdominal fat in increasing intra-abdominal pressure, thereby promoting gastroesophageal reflux and causing disruption of antireflux mechanisms at the esophagogastric junction. However, recent studies suggest that visceral adipose tissue (VAT) produces numerous cytokines that can cause esophageal inflammation and impair esophageal mucosal barrier integrity through reflux-independent mechanisms that render the esophageal mucosa especially susceptible to GERD-induced injury. In this report, we review mechanisms of esophageal mucosal defense, the genesis and remodeling of visceral adipose tissue during obesity, and the potential role of substances produced by VAT, especially the VAT that encircles the esophagogastric junction, in the impairment of esophageal mucosal barrier integrity that leads to the development of GERD complications.

The value of combined positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging to diagnose inflammatory bowel disease: a prospective study

BACKGROUND

The clinical utility of positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) in comparison to standard work-up with patients with known or suspected inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is unknown.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/MRI in the diagnostics of IBD and further compare the data obtained using PET/MRI to histological findings.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ten patients with relapse in IBD or with symptoms of suspected IBD were recruited either from a gastroenterology outpatient clinic or from a hospital ward. Intestinal inflammation was assessed with histology and 18F-FDG PET/MRI. Maximum standard uptake values (SUV_max) were calculated in six regions of the intestine (small bowel, ascending, transverse, descending and sigmoid colon, and rectum) and compared to histological analysis of inflammation activity.

RESULTS

The study showed that both the inflammation activity (P = 0.008) and the region of the biopsy in the intestine (P = 0.015) had a significant effect on SUV. SUVs obtained from severe inflammation activity emerged significantly from the background (P = 0.006). In addition, the SUVs obtained from moderate inflammation raised from background, but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.083), while SUVs of mild inflammation were at the same level with SUVs of normal bowel wall (P = 0.988).

CONCLUSION

18F-FDG PET/MRI is a promising method of detecting especially severe inflammatory bowel lesions. More data are required to define its sensitivity and specificity.

Potential involvement of adiponectin in obesity-associated erosive esophagitis

A strong causal relationship between obesity and erosive esophagitis has been proposed. Obesity may affect the pathogenesis of erosive esophagitis through adipokines as well as acid reflux. We evaluated the involvement of adiponectin in obesity-associated erosive esophagitis. In total, 1,902 patients who underwent endoscopy during medical check-ups were selected for study. Variables including the body mass index (BMI) and adiponectin level were compared between subjects with erosive esophagitis and normal controls. The subjects were classified by quartiles (Qs) of adiponectin level. Q4 was the reference group. The median adiponectin level differed by gender (men, 5.3 µg/ml vs women, 9.3 µg/ml; p<0.001). As the severity of erosive esophagitis increased in men, the BMI increased (p<0.001) while the adiponectin level decreased (p = 0.026). The multivariate odds ratio for erosive esophagitis was 1.79 for Q1, 1.73 for Q2, 2.34 for obesity, and 27.40 for hiatal hernia in men. When classified by obesity, the multivariate odds ratio for erosive esophagitis was 1.94 for Q1, 2.10 for Q2, and 18.47 for hiatal hernia only in obese men. In women, there were no trends in BMI, adiponectin levels, or severity of erosive esophagitis. We demonstrated that low adiponectin levels are involved in obesity-associated erosive esophagitis in men but not women.

Obesity increases the risk of erosive esophagitis but metabolic unhealthiness alone does not: a large-scale cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Obesity is a known risk factor for erosive esophagitis (EE) and metabolic unhealthiness has been implicated in EE pathogenesis. However, obesity and metabolic unhealthiness are not synonymous and the associations between obesity, metabolic health, and EE are unclear. Therefore, our aim was to investigate the relationship between EE, obesity, and metabolic health.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study of subjects undergoing health screening at a university hospital. Subjects were classified into 4 groups based on metabolic and obesity criteria: metabolically healthy nonobese (MHNO), metabolically healthy obese (MHO), metabolically unhealthy nonobese (MUNO), and metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO). Multivariable analysis was used to identify EE risk factors with MHNO subjects as reference. To determine if there were synergistic interactions between metabolic health and obesity status, the Rothman's synergy index and attributable proportion of risk were also calculated.

RESULTS

We included 10,338 subjects (5448 MHNO, 1605 MHO, 1600 MUNO, 1685 MUO). The prevalence of EE was 6.5% in MHNO, 12.6% in MHO, 9.3% in MUNO, and 14.3% in MUO. EE risk was increased significantly by obesity (MHO: OR, 1.589, 95% CI, 1.314-1.921, P < 0.001; MUO: OR, 1.734, 95% CI, 1.441-2.085, P < 0.001), but not in MUNO subjects (OR, 1.224, 95% CI, 0.991-1.511, P = 0.060). Male sex, blood leukocyte count, alcohol, and smoking significantly increased EE risk, but H. pylori infection was protective. Replacement of obesity with abdominal obesity gave similar results. The Rothman's synergy index was 0.920 (95% CI, 0.143-5.899) and the attributable proportion of risk was - 0.051 (95% CI, - 1.206-1.105), indicating no interaction between metabolic and obesity status on EE risk.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated that obesity increased the risk of EE, regardless of metabolic health status. However, EE risk was not significantly increased in MUNO subjects, suggesting that metabolic unhealthiness may not be involved in EE pathogenesis. As observational cross-sectional studies cannot prove causality, prospective longitudinal studies involving obesity and metabolic treatment should be performed to further investigate the association between obesity, metabolic health, and EE risk.

Cardiac Autonomic Alteration and Metabolic Syndrome: An Ambulatory ECG-based Study in A General Population

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been associated with chronic damage to the cardiovascular system. This study aimed to evaluate early stage cardiac autonomic dysfunction with electrocardiography (ECG)-based measures in MetS subjects. During 2012–2013, 175 subjects with MetS and 226 healthy controls underwent ECG recordings of at least 4 hours starting in the morning with ambulatory one-lead ECG monitors. MetS was diagnosed using the criteria defined in the Adult Treatment Panel III, with a modification of waist circumference for Asians. Conventional heart rate variability (HRV) analysis, and complexity index (CI_1–20) calculated from 20 scales of entropy (multiscale entropy, MSE), were compared between subjects with MetS and controls. Compared with the healthy controls, subjects with MetS had significantly reduced HRV, including SDNN and pNN20 in time domain, VLF, LF and HF in frequency domain, as well as SD2 in Poincaré analysis. MetS subjects have significantly lower complexity index (CI_1–20) than healthy subjects (1.69 ± 0.18 vs. 1.77 ± 0.12, p < 0.001). MetS severity was inversely associated with the CI_1–20 (r = −0.27, p < 0.001). MetS is associated with significant alterations in heart rate dynamics, including HRV and complexity.

The Effect of Zinc Supplementationon the Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease; a Randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND Currently, it has been demonstrated that gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most important disorders of the digestive system and the commixture of regular diet has a significant influence on its incidence, symptoms, and prognosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of zinc supplementation, in combination with PPIs(Proton pump inhibitors), on the improvement of GERD symptoms. METHODS In a randomized double blind clinical trial, patients with reflux symptoms, who had obtained Reflux Disease Questionnaire (RDQ) score more than 8, were included and all the demographic features were recorded. Then, using upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy, all the patients were divided into two groups as having non-erosive reflux disorder (NERD),or erosive reflux disorder (ERD). At the next step, based on random block statistical method, we divided the two groups into two subgroups; the drug subgroup [treated with PPIs (40 mg pantoprazole/daily), changing life style, and 220 mgzinc capsules daily] and the placebo subgroup [treated with PPIs, changing life style, and placebo]. After 3 months, we analyzed all data and the RDQ questionnaire was filled out for each patient. This project has been registered in Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT) and all data were analyzed using SPSS software version 2. RESULTS A total of 140 patients (81 women and 59 men) with mean age of 42.78±11.5 years were included with 70 patients in each group. The most frequent presentations were heart burn (45.7%), and acid regurgitation (39.3%). The RDQ scores decreased after intervention in both drug (p<0.001) and placebo groups (p<0.001), which were statistically significant. But the difference of RDQ scores between the drug group and placebo group was not statistically significant (p=0.086). CONCLUSION Zinc supplementation cannot improve the severity of GERD.

A Comparison Study of Esophageal Findings on (18)F-FDG PET/CT and Esophagogastroduodenoscopy

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to compare the esophageal findings of 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoro-d-glucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography ((18)F-FDG PET/CT) and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD).

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed (18)F-FDG PET/CT and EGD findings of 369 subjects who underwent medical examination between January 2014 and December 2014. The range and intensity of esophageal (18)F-FDG uptake were visually analyzed. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of the esophagus and around the esophagogastric (EG) junction was measured. EGD results were provided by the gastroenterologist. We compared the esophageal findings obtained using (18)F-FDG PET/CT and EGD.

RESULTS

There were typical linear FDG uptakes in (18)F-FDG PET/CT patients who underwent EGD the same day. In visual analysis of the range and intensity of the (18)F-FDG uptake, the patients who underwent (18)F-FDG PET/CT and EGD on the same day showed relatively diffuse and discernible (18)F-FDG uptake in the esophagus. Reflux esophagitis was diagnosed in 59 subjects, and 27 of these were classified as higher than Los Angeles classification A. With an increasing degree of reflux esophagitis observed on EGD, the SUVmax in the esophagus and around the EG junction was also increased.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed that FDG uptake at the esophagus or the EG junction might be clinically significantly related to esophagitis. However, EGD performed before (18)F-FDG PET/CT on the same day may affect the esophageal (18)F-FDG uptake.

Associations of Circulating Gut Hormone and Adipocytokine Levels with the Spectrum of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

OBJECTIVE

The pathogenesis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is complex and poorly understood. We aim to investigate the association of various circulating peptide hormones with heterogenous manifestations of GERD.

METHODS

One hundred and four patients that had experienced typical GERD symptoms (heartburn and/or acid regurgitation) for at least 3 episodes per week in the past 3 months were enrolled. All patients received a baseline assessment of symptom severity and frequency with the Reflux Disease Questionnaire and an upper endoscopy to classify GERD into erosive esophagitis (EE, n = 67), non-erosive esophagitis (NE, n = 37), and Barrett's esophagus (BE, n = 8). Fifty asymptomatic subjects with an endoscopically normal esophagus were recruited as the control group. Complete anthropometric measures and blood biochemistry were obtained and fasting serum levels of adipocytokines (adiponectin and leptin) and gut hormones (ghrelin and peptide YY (PYY)) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in all subjects.

RESULTS

All circulating peptide hormone levels were not statistically different between the GERD and control groups. However, GERD patients appeared to have lower PYY levels [median (25th-75th percentile), 80.1 (49.8-108.3) vs. 99.4 (65.8-131.9) pg/ml, p = 0.057] compared with control subjects. Among the GERD patients, ghrelin levels were inversely associated with the frequency and severity of acid regurgitation. In male GERD patients, EE was associated with significantly higher PYY levels [107.0 (55.0-120.8) vs. 32.8 (28.7-84.5) pg/ml, p = 0.026] but lower adiponectin levels [6.7 (5.6-9.3) vs. 9.9 (9.6-10.6) μg/ml, p = 0.034] than NE. Patients with BE had significantly lower adiponectin levels [6.0 (5.1-9.2) vs. 9.2 (7.1-11.2) μg/ml, p = 0.026] than those without BE.

CONCLUSIONS

Humoral derangement of circulating peptide hormones might participate in inflammation and symptom perception in patients suffering from GERD. Further studies to clarify the exact role of these hormones in the pathogenesis of GERD are warranted.

Evaluations of life style factors and the severity of Gastroesophageal reflux disease; a case-control study

The incidence of Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has increased remarkably worldwide. This study focuses on the background features of these patients and evaluates the two GERD sub types; none erosive (NERD) and erosive (ERD). In a case-control study, patients with reflux symptoms who had obtained a total score of 8-18 of the GERD questionnaire were included. Control group consisted of their families with lower scores and no reflux presentations. All demographic features were recorded. Then upper GI endoscopy performed and the cases divided into two sub groups: NERD and ERD. In the next step, all demographic data analyzed for these two subgroups. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 21. A number of 210 subjects included in each group (210 patients with GERD and 210 control group) with normal statistical distribution of age and gender. There was a significant relationship between GERD and BMI (P=0.001), eating fatty foods (P=0.0001), lying after meal (P=0.0001), drinking beverages with meal (0.0001), eating spicy food (0.006) and NSAIDs use (P=0.0001). Then the cases divided into two subgroups; NERD (n=146) and ERD (n=64). There were a significant relationship with eating salty-smoky food (P=0.005) and eating spicy food (P=0.011). The difference of BMI between NERD and ERD was remarkable but was not statistically significant. Our results showed that obesity is an important risk factor for GERD. Other possible risk factors such as NSAIDs use and certain foods and wrong habits like lying after meal should be addressed in future longitudinal surveys.

Bariatric and metabolic surgery: a shift in eligibility and success criteria

The obesity epidemic, combined with the lack of available and effective treatments for morbid obesity, is a scientific and public health priority. Worldwide, bariatric and metabolic surgeries are increasingly being performed to effectively aid weight loss in patients with severe obesity, as well as because of the favourable metabolic effects of the procedures. The positive effects of bariatric surgery, especially with respect to improvements in type 2 diabetes mellitus, have expanded the eligibility criteria for metabolic surgery to patients with diabetes mellitus and a BMI of 30-35 kg/m(2). However, the limitations of BMI, both in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients, need to be considered, particularly for determining the actual adiposity and fat distribution of the patients following weight loss. Understanding the characteristics shared by bariatric and metabolic surgeries, as well as their differential aspects and outcomes, is required to enhance patient benefits and operative achievements. For a holistic approach that focuses on the multifactorial effects of bariatric and metabolic surgery to be possible, a paradigm shift that goes beyond the pure semantics is needed. Such a shift could lead to profound clinical implications for eligibility criteria and the definition of success of the surgical approach.