The role of advanced endoscopy in the management of inflammatory digestive diseases (upper gastrointestinal tract)

The Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society held four serial symposia between 2019 and 2020 on the state‐of‐the‐art of issues related to upper GI inflammatory diseases. This review discusses some of the topics addressed in these symposia. The papers regarding nonerosive reflux disease, recent improvements in intraesophageal pH‐impedance monitoring and endoscopic diagnosis using image‐enhanced endoscopy have been published. Many publications have addressed its usefulness in endoscopic treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease such as anti‐reflux mucosectomy. In the management of eosinophilic esophagitis, since the symptoms are subjective, objective indicators have been sought, and ultrasonography and high‐resolution manometry may be useful tools for evaluation. The natural course of this condition, especially of asymptomatic cases, is not well clarified. Some newly developed anti‐acid or anti‐inflammatory medicines are now under investigation. With regard to autoimmune gastritis, because of widespread medical examinations, diagnosis of asymptomatic cases has been increasing. Recently, its endoscopic characteristics have become clear and the natural history of these conditions is being elucidated. The Kyoto Classification of Gastritis has been reported to be useful not only for Helicobacter pylori diagnosis but also for identification of risks of gastric cancer. Its usefulness is now recognized in Asia and Europe.