Rising Trends of Endoscopic Barrett's Esophagus and Gastric Fundic Gland Polyps in Young Japanese Adults

Abstract

Background/Aims: This study examined changes in the esophageal-gastric junction and gastric mucosa in young Japanese adults undergoing endoscopy in the last 15 years. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study of young Japanese adults (aged 19-30 years) who underwent esophagogastrod uodenoscopy between 2006 and 2020. The indications were upper gastrointestinal symptoms and anemia. Changes in the appearance of the esophago-gastric junction (i.e., the Z line and distal esophagitis) and gastric mucosa were examined. Endoscopic Barrett's esophagus was defined using the Japanese criteria. Results: One thousand eight hundred forty-five patients were examined: 848 from 2006 to 2012 [400 males, mean age 26.5 years (range 19-30)] and 997 from 2013 to 2020 [433 males, mean age 26.2 years (range 19-30)]. The proportion showing endoscopic Barrett's esophagus and gastric fundic gland polyps increased significantly between the 2 periods (12.5% vs. 22.4%, P < .001; 3.4% vs. 7.2%, P