Prevalence and screening of precancerous lesions in the upper gastrointestinal tract: A cross-sectional study in North of Iran
Abstract Purpose: Precancerous lesions of the UGI tract are the second major cancer-related deaths and responsible for more than ten percent of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of precancerous lesions in the upper gastrointestinal tract of patients under patronage of Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation in Guilan province as vulnerable population. Methods: In a cross-sectional study from March 2017 to March 2018, three hundred patients under patronage of Guilan branch of Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation aged more than 40 years were enrolled. All patients were underwent endoscopy and checked for Helicobacter pylori infection. Results: The most frequent lesions in the esophagus, stomach and bulb were grade A mucosal breaking (58.7%), erosions (57.0%), and ulcers (6.3%), respectively. Esophageal lesions were higher in the age more than 60 years (P=0.036). Smokers and patients with familial history of cancers in the 2ndand 3rd grade of relatives had more lesions in the bulb (P=0.005 and P=0.010, respectively). Female patients, those with age lower than 50 years and no-smoker had lower frequency of intestinal metaplasia (IM) (P=0.024, P=0.030, and P=0.003, respectively). Also, there was positive association between gastric atrophy and age (P=0.009). Furthermore, chronic active gastritis were seen more frequently in male patients (P=0.003) and smokers (P=0.010). Significant positive association between consumption of fish meat and occurrence of IM was detected (P=0.010). Conclusions: Male gender, higher age and smoking for IM and male gender, higher BMI and smoking for H. pylori infection were the predictive risk factors. It seems early diagnosis of precancerous lesions help to prevent cancers and to increase the survival rate.