関口 裕美

INTRODUCTION: Helicobacter pylori eradication is clinically important in patients on hemodialysis (HD), who are at risk for serious gastrointestinal complications. However, altered drug metabolism and antibiotic resistance in patients on HD complicate H. pylori eradication. This study aimed to perform a network meta-analysis to synthesize existing evidence on the efficacy and safety of H. pylori eradication regimens in patients on HD. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Ichushi-web, ICTRP, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Two reviewers independently selected randomized controlled trials that evaluated H. pylori eradication therapy in patients undergoing HD. We performed a frequentist random effects network meta-analysis. The primary outcome was eradication rate, and the secondary outcomes were treatment completion rates and all adverse events. We used CINeMA to assess the confidence in the evidence. The study protocol was registered at OSF (https://osf.io/gn978/). RESULTS: Ten trials involving 481 patients were included in the analysis. Seven eradication regimens were compared: six concomitant and one sequential regimen. Relative to standard-dose proton pump inhibitor/clarithromycin/amoxicillin regimens (PAC), the evidence is very uncertain about the effect of the proton pump inhibitor/clarithromycin regimen on the eradication rate (odds ratio, 0.11; 95% confidence interval, 0.01-1.07). For reduced-dose PAC (in which clarithromycin or amoxicillin is dose-reduced), alternative regimens (with azithromycin, metronidazole, or levofloxacin), and sequential regimens, the estimates were too imprecise to determine whether a difference from PAC exists (low certainty). Treatment completion rates were generally favorable (83-100%), and adverse events were most frequent with standard-dose PAC (45%). CONCLUSIONS: Reduced-dose PAC and alternative and sequential regimens may be considered for H. pylori eradication in patients on HD.

In 2026, the fourth edition of the evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for peptic ulcer disease by the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology (JSGE) was revised. These revised guidelines cover epidemiology, hemorrhagic peptic ulcers, Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy, non-eradication therapy, drug-induced ulcers, non-H. pylori, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) ulcers, remnant gastric ulcers, surgical treatment, and conservative therapy for perforation and stenosis. Although H. pylori infection and NSAIDs use remain two major causes of peptic ulcers, the prevalence and mortality rates of peptic ulcer have been declining due to the widespread use of eradication therapy and development of potent acid-inhibitory drugs in recent years. However, an increasing trend in idiopathic ulcers and ulcers caused by non-H. pylori Helicobacter (NHPH) infection has attracted attention. In this revised edition, therapeutic algorithms for the treatment of peptic ulcers based on H. pylori infection, low-dose aspirin (LDA) or NSAID use, ulcer history, and ulcer complications (e.g., hemorrhage) remain largely unchanged. This edition shows options for H. pylori eradication in various situations compared with the previous edition, and recommends the most effective regimens, regardless of Japanese insurance coverage. In addition, a new flowchart outlining the eradication treatment process has been presented. Compared with the previous version, the main changes in pharmacological treatment have been made: due to its acid-inhibitory characteristics compared with proton pump inhibitors and increased evidence of its efficacy and safety, vonoprazan has now been selected as the first-line treatment for peptic ulcers and NSAID- and LDA-induced ulcers.

INTRODUCTION: Gel immersion endoscopy (GIE) is a technique used to maintain a clear view during gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection. We aimed to identify cases most likely to benefit from GIE for ESD bleeding by reviewing our clinical experience and determining the associated factors. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 470 lesions in 380 patients who underwent gastric ESD between October 2020 and March 2023. The patients were divided into conventional method (n = 433) and GIE groups (n = 37). We compared the clinical and pathological characteristics between the groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with GIE use. Among the GIE group, hemostasis times under gas, water, and gel conditions were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis revealed that dialysis (odds ratio [OR]: 15.3), concurrent antiplatelet and anticoagulant use (OR: 9.5), and tumor location in the middle third (OR: 3.5), upper third (OR: 5.7), or remnant stomach (OR: 9.3) were independently associated with GIE use. No significant differences in overall hemostasis time were observed between gas, water, or gel. Of the nine bleeding events exceeding 300 s under gas immersion, seven achieved successful hemostasis by switching to GIE, with a median of 32 s to locate the source and 140 s to complete hemostasis. CONCLUSION: Dialysis, combined antithrombotic use, and certain tumor locations were key factors influencing GIE for ESD bleeding. Although the overall hemostasis times did not differ, GIE may be particularly beneficial in high-risk scenarios.

OBJECTIVES: Early gastric cancers (EGCs) of the elevated type or with submucosal invasion are easily found by routine endoscopy. However, most early cancers are challenging to detect because of subtle morphological or color differences from surrounding atrophic mucosa and intestinal metaplasia. Linked color imaging (LCI) enhances mucosal color difference, making it easier to detect EGCs. The aim of this study is to clarify the advantages and possible disadvantages of LCI for screening for obscure EGC. METHODS: A total of 665 malignant gastric lesions resected using endoscopic submucosal dissection between January 2015 and April 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Obviously detectable lesions were not included in the main analysis when determining the target lesion. White light imaging (WLI)/LCI images of 508 endoscopically obscure malignant lesions were included in the final analysis and evaluated by three non-expert and three expert endoscopists using visibility scores for detection and extent. RESULTS: The detection visibility scores using LCI were significantly higher than those using WLI regardless of lesion characteristics including location, size, histological type, depth of invasion, and Helicobacter pylori status. The detection score improved in 46.4% cases and deteriorated in 4.9% when the modality changed from WLI to LCI. A mixed-effects multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that use of LCI (odds ratio [OR] 2.57), elevated type (OR 1.92), invasion to submucosa (OR 2.18) were significantly associated with improved visibility of EGC. CONCLUSIONS: Linked color imaging significantly improves visibility of EGC regardless of differences in lesion morphology, histology, location, depth of invasion, and H. pylori status compared to conventional WLI.

BACKGROUND: Duodenal ulcers are classified into bulbar and post-bulbar ulcers. The aim of this study is to compare the long-term outcomes of patients with post-bulbar ulcer bleeding and those with bulbar ulcer bleeding. METHODS: A total of 272 patients with hemorrhagic duodenal ulcers requiring hospitalization were included. Their medical records were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: All patients were categorized as bulbar or post-bulbar bleeding ulcer groups. The post-bulbar ulcer group had more patients of advanced age, concurrent malignancy, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cirrhosis, and chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis. We performed long-term follow-up for an average of 2.6 years. The mortality rate during the follow-up period in the post-bulbar ulcer group was significantly higher than that in the bulbar ulcer group (p < 0.001). The PNED score was a better predictor of 30-day mortality compared to the complete Rockall score and the Glasgow-Blatchford Score. Predictors of mortality were evaluated using a Cox proportional hazards regression model. In multivariate analysis, post-bulbar ulcer, concurrent malignancy, cirrhosis, antiplatelet/anticoagulant use, and transfusion were significant predictors of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with post-bulbar ulcers have a poorer prognosis than those with bulbar ulcers. After the diagnosis of hemorrhagic post-bulbar duodenal ulcer, close follow-up is necessary.