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Helicobacter pylori (Hp) is the main trigger of chronic gastric atrophy and the main leading cause of gastric cancer. Hp infects the normal gastric mucosa and can lead to chronic inflammation, glandular atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia and finally adenocarcinoma. Chronic inflammation and gastric atrophy associated with Hp infection appear initially in the distal part of the stomach (the antrum) before progressing to the proximal part (the corpus-fundus). In recent years, endoscopic developments have allowed for the characterization of various gastric conditions including the normal mucosa (pyloric/fundic gland pattern and regular arrangement of collecting venules), Hp-related gastritis (Kyoto classification), glandular atrophy (Kimura-Takemoto classification), intestinal metaplasia (Endoscopic Grading of Gastric Intestinal Metaplasia), and dysplasia/adenocarcinoma (Vessel plus Surface classification). Despite being independent classifications, all these scales can be integrated into a single model: the endoscopic model for gastric carcinogenesis. This model would assist endoscopists in comprehending the process of gastric carcinogenesis and conducting a systematic examination during gastroscopy. Having this model in mind would enable endoscopists to promptly recognize the implications of Hp infection and the potential patient's risk of developing gastric cancer., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Background and Objectives: There are few scales with prospective validation for the assessment of the upper gastrointestinal mucosal cleanliness during an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). The aim of this study was to develop a valid and reproducible cleanliness scale for use during an EGD., Methods: We developed a cleanliness scale (Barcelona scale) with a score (0-2 points) of five segments of the upper gastrointestinal tract with thorough cleaning techniques (esophagus, fundus, body, antrum, and duodenum). First, 125 photos (25 of each area) were assessed, and a score was assigned to each image by consensus among 7 experts endoscopists. Subsequently, 100 of the 125 images were selected and the inter- and intra-observer variability of 15 previously trained endoscopists was evaluated using the same images at two different times., Results: In total, 1500 assessments were performed. In 1336/1500 observations (89%) there was agreement with the consensus score, with a mean kappa value of 0.83 (0.45-0.96). In the second evaluation, in 1330/1500 observations (89%) there was agreement with the consensus score, with a mean kappa value of 0.82 (0.45-0.93). The intra-observer variability was 0.89 (0.76-0.99)., Conclusions: The Barcelona cleanliness scale is a valid measure and reproducible with minimal training. Its application in clinical practice is a significant step to standardize the quality of the EGD., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Gastric cancer (GC) incidence is currently decreasing; however, survival is still low. Early GC (EGC) has better prognosis and it could be cured by endoscopic methods., Patients and Methods: Observational study of a retrospective cohort of all patients with GC during a five-year period in a health area of Spain. EGC diagnosis was defined as mucosal or submucosal (T1) cancers regardless of lymph node involvement, whereas the advanced GC were T2-T4., Results: 209 patients were included, and 26 (12%) of them were EGC. There was no difference between EGC and advanced GC in age, sex, HP infection, precancerous lesions or histological type. Other characteristics of EGC were different from advanced GC: location (antrum and incisura in 76% vs 38%, p=0.01), alarm symptoms (69% vs 90%, p<0.01), curative treatment (100% vs 30%, p<0.01), performance status (PS 0-1: 92% vs 75%, p=0.03) and survival (85% vs 20%, p<0.001). Among patients who received curative treatment, 98% (79/81) underwent surgery and 2% (2/81) were treated by mucosectomy. Seven (27%) patients with EGC could have benefited from treatment by endoscopic submucosal resection., Discussion: EGC frequency was low (12% of GCs) in our health area. EGC had a high percentage of alarm symptoms, and was located in the distal third of the stomach (antrum and incisura) and had better prognosis compared to advanced GC. Strategies to increase detection and endoscopic treatment of EGC should be implemented., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)