Risk factors associated with recurrence of gastric hyperplastic polyps: a single-center, long-term, retrospective cohort study.

Background: The likelihood of recurrence of gastric hyperplastic polyps (GHPs) following endoscopic resection and the need for long-term follow-up remain unknown. We, therefore, aimed to investigate the factors associated with the recurrence and cumulative incidence of GHPs over a 10-year period.

Methods: Between May 1995 and December 2020, 1,018 GHPs > 1 cm were endoscopically resected from 869 patients. Medical records of these patients were retrospectively reviewed and their clinical features and outcomes were assessed. Groups of GHPs with recurrence and those without recurrence group were compared, and univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to identify the potential risk factors for GHP recurrence.

Results: A total of 104 (12.0%) patients who underwent endoscopic removal of GHPs experienced recurrence. Compared to patients without recurrent GHPs, those with recurrent GHPs showed considerably larger median polyp size (28 mm vs. 14 mm, P < 0.001), a higher proportion of multiple polyps (41.3% vs. 29.3%, P = 0.020), polyps with lobulation (63.5% vs. 40.3%, P = 0.001), and exudate (63.5% vs. 46.8%, P = 0.001). Compared to the local recurrence (n = 52) group, the metachronous recurrence (n = 52) group had larger median polyp size (20 mm vs. 16 mm, P = 0.006) as well as higher rates of polyp lobulation (86.5% vs. 40.4%, P < 0.001) and exudate (82.7% vs. 44.4%, P = 0.001). After primary GHP excision, the cumulative incidence of recurrence was 7.2%, 12.7%, and 19.6% at 2 years, 5 years, and 10 years, respectively.

Conclusion: The incidence of GHP recurrence following endoscopic excision increased as the follow-up period increased, especially in patients whose GHPs were large-sized, multiple, or characterized by surface exudates/lobulations.