Gastric dysplasia may be an independent risk factor of an advanced colorectal neoplasm

To evaluate the relationship between gastric dysplasia and Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) and the occurrence of colorectal adenoma, and to define the necessity for colonoscopy in patients with gastric dysplasia or H pylori infection.

From May 2005 to February 2008, 133 patients with established gastric dysplasia by gastroduodenoscopy (EGD) were additionally investigated by colonoscopy. The authors compared results with those of 213 subjects who underwent both EGD and colonoscopy during the same period at the author's Health Promotion Center as a control group. H pylori infection was evaluated in both the gastric dysplasia and control groups.

The mean age of all 346 study subjects was 54.1 +/- 10.5 years, and there were 258 (73%) men and 87 (27%) women. No significant difference was found between the H pylori positive and negative subjects in terms of the prevalence of colorectal adenoma and advanced colorectal adenoma (P = 0.261). Patients with gastric dysplasia showed no elevated risk of colorectal adenoma (OR = 0.910, 95% CI: 0.587-1.411, P = 0.738), but had a significantly higher risk of having advanced colorectal adenoma (OR = 3.382, 95% CI: 1.700-6.342, P = 0.000).

The study emphasizes the need for colon surveillance in patients with gastric dysplasia, regardless of H pylori infection.