Prevalence and time trend of intestinal metaplasia in Hong Kong.
METHODS
Upper endoscopy records from 1998 to 2003 were reviewed. The demographic data, endoscopic diagnosis, results of rapid urease test and the absence or presence of intestinal metaplasia (IM) in histology were reviewed, to evaluate the prevalence of IM and Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection over time in Hong Kong.


RESULTS
Among 1805 endoscopies performed, 1751 had both rapid urease test and histology available. A significant drop in the prevalence of duodenal ulcers from 17.9% in 1998 to 9.8% in 2003 was found (P = 0.015). Prevalence of IM was 13.9%, 5.9% and 9.4% in Hp positive, Hp negative and overall respectively (P < 0.05). The prevalence of IM increased with age, and the patterns were similar amongst subjects in 1998-2000 and those in 2001-2003. There was progressive decrease in Hp prevalence from 58% in 1998 to 40% in 2001 (P = 0.014), but no further decrease was seen in 2002-3. There was no corresponding decrease in IM prevalence. Instead IM prevalence in 2002-2003 was significantly higher than the prevalence in previous few years (P = 0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of IM did not change in the period from 1998 to 2003 despite a drop in the prevalence of Hp infection since 1994.
Yee
Yuk Kei
YK
Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Wong
Ka Wah
KW
Hui
Chee Kin
CK
Chan
Chi Kuen
CK
Chan
Annie O O
AO
Lam
Shiu Kam
SK
Fung
Fiona M Y
FM
Hung
Ivan
I
Wong
Benjamin C Y
BC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001944:Breath Tests; D004381:Duodenal Ulcer / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008679:Metaplasia; D008875:Middle Aged; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult