Endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy as a predictor of colorectal polyps: a large scale case-control study

Although some studies have indicated a correlation between Helicobacter pylori infection and the risk of colorectal neoplasms, these findings have not been consistent and are controversial. This case-control study aimed to investigate the association between endoscopic gastric mucosal atrophy and colorectal polyp occurrence. Records of 7,394 participants who underwent colonoscopy examinations from August 2008 to July 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. A total of 2,404 subjects were registered; 1,565 (65.1%) were in the gastric mucosal atrophy-positive group and 1,138 (47.3%) had colorectal polyps. The multivariate analysis adjusted by age, sex, smoking habits, alcohol habits, hemoglobin A1c, and systolic blood pressure indicated that patients in the gastric mucosal atrophy-positive group more frequently had colorectal polyps compared with patients in the gastric mucosal atrophy-negative group (odds ratio, 3.27; 95% confidence interval, 2.68-4.01; p<0.001). An analysis of the association between gastric mucosal atrophy degree and colorectal polyp status indicated that, compared with mild gastric mucosal atrophy, severe gastric mucosal atrophy was associated with a higher risk of proximal colon polyps (odds ratio, 1.47; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-2.07; p = 0.024) and two or more colorectal polyps (odds ratio, 1.80; 95% confidence interval, 1.30-2.49; p<0.001). In conclusion, gastric mucosal atrophy found during esophagogastroduodenoscopy may be an indication for complete colon screening.