Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 4, 2026

Surgical Models of Gastroesophageal Reflux with Mice
Published on: August 25, 2015
Specialized intestinal metaplasia and carditis at the gastroesophageal junction in Chinese patients undergoing
Simon Law1, King Yin Lam, Kent-Man Chu
1Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong Medical Centre, Queen Mary Hospital, China.
Objective:
Specialized intestinal metaplasia (SIM) is often found at a normal-looking gastroesophageal junction on routine biopsy. The prevalence of SIM in Asian populations has not been recorded. Its significance is also unclear. The objective of the study was to document the prevalence of SIM at the gastroesophageal junction in a Chinese population undergoing endoscopy.
Methods:
Biopsies were taken at the gastroesophageal junction in 145 patients, both at the squamocolumnar junction and immediately below in the gastric cardia. Specimens were examined for the type of epithelium (squamous, cardiac, and fundic), the presence of SIM, and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).
Results:
Of 145 patients who underwent endoscopy, 136 had a normal-looking gastroesophageal junction. Cardiac epithelium was found in 100 patients. Of these 100 patients, SIM was documented in 34% of patients and carditis in 20%. Patients with SIM were older compared with those without SIM (mean age 62 yr and 56 yr, p = 0.035). Carditis was more prevalent in patients with SIM. It was present in 11 out of 34 patients who had SIM (32.4%) compared with nine in 66 patients (13.6%) without SIM, p = 0.036. When carditis was found, H. pylori was present at the cardia in 40% of patients (eight of 20) compared with only 18% (14 of 80) in those without carditis, p = 0.039.
Conclusions:
SIM is prevalent at the gastroesophageal junction in Chinese patients undergoing endoscopy and is associated with carditis. Carditis in turn may be related to H. pylori infection.
More Related Videos
03:48Effects of Desmodium caudatum on Gastrointestinal Hormones and Intestinal Flora in Rats with Gastritis
Published on: March 1, 2024
03:05Establishment and Evaluation of a Risk Prediction Model for Pathological Escalation of Gastric Low-Grade Intraepithelial Neoplasia
Published on: February 16, 2024
Related Concept Videos
Barrett Esophagus-I: Introduction
This constant acid exposure transforms the esophagus's pink mucosal lining (stratified squamous epithelium) into a type of lining more similar...
Barrett Esophagus-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management
To diagnose Barrett's esophagus, healthcare providers often recommend an endoscopy for those showing symptoms of acid reflux. The procedure entails...
Esophageal Strictures-I: Introduction
Etiology
The primary cause of esophageal strictures is long-standing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), accounting for about 70 to 80% of adult cases. Chronic acid reflux can lead to injury and scarring of the esophageal lining, culminating in...
Peptic Ulcer Disease III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Few clinical manifestations differentiate gastric ulcers from duodenal ulcers. Distinctions in the location, timing, and pain relief are crucial for healthcare providers in differentiating between gastric and duodenal ulcers during clinical assessments.
Esophageal Achalasia
Gastritis II: Pathophysiology