Frequency, Locations and Histopathological Features of Polyps Detected in Upper Gastrointestinal System Examination and Its Association with Helicobacter Pylori Infection

Abstract

Objective: Gastric polyps are often detected incidentally during endoscopic examination performed for a different purpose. Hyperplastic polyp is the most common type of polyp in the stomach. This study aimed to determine the frequency, locations and histopathological features of polyps detected in gastroscopic procedures performed at the Gastroenterology Department of Aydin State Hospital and their relationship with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Materials and Methods: Data of 129 patients with polyps during 8,787 gastroscopic procedures performed between July 2016 and January 2020 at the Gastroenterology Department were retrospectively analysed. The size, location and histopathological features of the polyps, H. pylori positivity, presence of intestinal metaplasia and gastric atrophy and use of proton pump inhibitors were recorded. Results: Polyps were localised in the corpus in 43 (33.3%) patients, in the antrum in 36 (27.9%) patients and in the fundus in 20 (15.5%) patients. On histopathological examination, hyperplastic polyp was detected in 84 (65.4%) patients, fundic gland polyp in 19 (14.7%) patients, adenomatous polyp in 11 (8.5%) patients, squamous papilloma in 6 (4.7%) patients and inflammatory polyp in 5 (3.9%) patients. H. pylori positivity was significantly higher in hyperplastic polyps compared to other polyps (40.8% vs 23.4%) (p=0.04), while it was found to be significantly less in fundic gland polyps compared to other polyps (15.8% vs 41.8%) (p=0.03). Conclusion: In this study, hyperplastic polyp is the most common type of polyp found on gastroscopic examination. While H. pylori positivity rate was significantly higher in hyperplastic polyps, it was significantly less in fundic gland polyps. Fundic gland polyps are more common with long-term use of proton pump inhibitors. In the literature, the histopathology of polyps and the relationship of H. pylori infection show similarities.