GASTRIC POLYPS: VARYING PATTERN OF EPIDEMIOLOGIC AND PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERISTICS BETWEEN 2003 – 2010 AND 2010 – 2017

Aims:

Epidemiologic and phenotypic characteristics of gastric polyps are directly associated to Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI) use and Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection. Aim of this study was to outline any changes of these parameters during different time periods.

Methods:

All gastroscopies having been performed in our center over the last 15 years were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic, topographic and histological characteristics of polyps as well as Hp infection were documented. Differences of the aforementioned parameters between 1.1.2003 – 30.6.2010 (Period 1) and 1.7.2010 – 31.12.2017 (Period 2) were analyzed using Chi Square test.

Results:

The most common site of polyp detection, polyp histology and number of polyps per patient (data not shown) were significantly different between the 2 periods (Table 1). No difference was detected in demographic characteristics as well as polyp size. Hp was found positive in 25.54% of gastroscopies. Patients harboring hyperplastic polyps had significantly higher chance of having positive Hp in Period 2 compared to Period 1.

Tab. 1

Histology/Site	Period 1	Period 2	P-value
Fundic Gland Polyps	11%	31.9%	< 0.05
Hyperplastic Polyps	25.9%	29.5%
Antrum	43.5%	31.3%	< 0.05
Fundus	28.7%	44.9%

Conclusions:

During the last few years a significant rise of fundic gland over hyperplastic polyps is observed, probably due to decreasing Hp prevalence and increasing PPI use in the West. That explains change of the most common polyp site to fundus and more polyps per patient between Period 1 and 2 in our study population. Hp was more regurarly investigated in patients with hyperplastic polyps during Period 2 reflecting better clinical practice after the release of relevant guidelines.