Spectrum of endoscopic findings and therapy in patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms after laparoscopic bariatric surgery.

Background: More should be known about the spectrum of endoscopic abnormalities and treatments in patients with upper gastrointestinal (UGI) symptoms after laparoscopic bariatric surgery.

Methods: Patients referred for endoscopic evaluation of UGI symptoms after laparoscopic bariatric surgery were studied. Clinical manifestations, endoscopic findings and therapy were recorded and correlated.

The influence of Helicobacter pylori infection on the development of gastric ulcer in symptomatic patients after bariatric surgery.

Background: There are few data relating to the role of H. pylori infection and surgical procedures on the occurrence of gastric ulcer following bariatric surgery.

Methods: Subjects with upper gastrointestinal symptoms after bariatric surgery and receiving gastroscopic examinations were prospectively enrolled.

A case-control study of association of Helicobacter pylori infection with morbid obesity in Taiwan.

Background: Obesity is an increasing health problem in developed countries, where the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection is decreasing. Recent studies suggested colonization of the stomach by H pylori might affect gastric expression of appetite- and satiety-related hormone and patients cured of H pylori infection gained weight. It was hypothesized that H pylori could be a contributing pathogenic factor in childhood and adult obesity.

The optimal age threshold for screening upper endoscopy for uninvestigated dyspepsia in Taiwan, an area with a higher prevalence of gastric cancer in young adults.

Background: It is estimated that 1% to 2% of patients with dyspepsia are associated with gastric cancer. To avoid missing gastric cancer, most guidelines recommend that patients over 45 years old should undergo EGD for uninvestigated dyspepsia. In Taiwan, however, the prevalence of gastric cancer in younger patients is higher than that of Western countries.