Increased prevalence of gastric pathologies in patients with total hip and total knee prostheses: a retrospective endoscopic study

Aims: The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) positivity, gastric atrophy, and intestinal metaplasia in patients with dyspeptic complaints who had undergone total hip and knee replacement surgeries, compared to a control group without prosthesis. Methods: The study group consisted of 51 patients with dyspeptic complaints and total knee and hip prosthesis, while the control group comprised 75 patients with similar complaints but without prosthesis. Endoscopic gastric biopsies were obtained from all participants, and the presence of H. pylori, gastric atrophy, and intestinal metaplasia were evaluated. Results: The prevalence of H. pylori positivity, gastric atrophy, and intestinal metaplasia were significantly higher in patients who underwent total knee and hip replacement compared to the control group without prosthesis. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that patients who undergo total hip and knee replacement surgeries may be at higher risk for developing gastric pathologies, such as H. pylori infection, gastric atrophy, and intestinal metaplasia. Therefore, it is recommended that physicians who care for these patients monitor them closely for these conditions and consider endoscopic surveillance as part of their management plan.