BACKGROUND The operative link on gastric atrophy (OLGA) and operative link on gastric intestinal metaplasia (OLGIM) stages have been suggested for risk estimation of gastric cancer (GC). However, usefulness of OLGA/OLGIM systems in diffuse type of GC was not investigated so far. The aims of this study were to evaluate the OLGA/OLGIM systems in estimating the GC risk according to Lauren's classification and to investigate the interaction among the risk factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS The OLGA/OLGIM stages were evaluated in 1398 (765 control and 633 GC patients) who were prospectively enrolled in the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. Synergistic interaction among the risk factors for GC was calculated using an additive model.

RESULTS Among 387 intestinal-type GC patients, 71 (18.3%) were high-risk OLGA stages (III, IV) and 113 (29.2%) were high-risk OLGIM stages (III, IV). Of the 246 patients with diffuse-type GC, 36 (14.6%) were high-risk OLGA stages and 39 (15.9%) were high-risk OLGIM stages. Multivariable analysis revealed family history of GC, Helicobacter pylori infection, high-risk OLGA stages, and high-risk OLGIM stages as independent risk factors for GC regardless of histologic type (odds ratios [ORs] 1.78, 1.94, 2.63, and 3.18, respectively). There was no significant risk modification among the H. pylori infection, family history of GC, and high-risk OLGA/OLGIM stages.

CONCLUSION High-risk OLGA/OLGIM stages are important prediction markers for GC regardless of H. pylori infection or family history of GC not only for the intestinal type but also for diffuse-type GC.