Improved Detection of Helicobacter pylori Infection and Premalignant Gastric Mucosa Using Conventional White Light Source Gastroscopy

Abstract

Background: The gold standard diagnosis of H. pylori related gastritis is evidence of bacteria on histopathological examination of gastric mucosa. Our aim was to study the correlation between gastric mucosal morphology and histopathological severity of H. pylori related gastritis. Materials and Methods: Division was made on morphological features into:Type 1, showing regular arrangement of red dots; Type 2, showing cleft-like appearance; Type 3, with a mosaic appearance; and Type 4, having a mosaic appearance with focal or diffuse hyperemia. Results: Types 1 and 2 gastric mucosal morphologies were statistically significant in predicting an H. pylori negative status (137/145, <0.01), while Types 3 and 4 were significant a positive status (139/155, <0.01). The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of Type 3 and 4 morphologies for predicting H. pylori positive were 94.6%, 89.5%, 89.7% and 94.5%, respectively, with a good correlation with inflammation grading (<0.01). Conclusions: Our study suggests that gastric mucosal morphology can be reliably identified using conventional white light source gastroscopy with good correlation between findings and inflammation grading.