Propensity score matching analysis: incidence and risk factors for "stardust" gastric mucosa, a novel gastric finding potentially induced by vonoprazan.

BACKGROUND Vonoprazan, a potassium-competitive acid blocker, is used for acid-related diseases. Occasionally, small white protrusions called "stardust" gastric mucosa have been detected in the stomachs of some patients taking vonoprazan. AIMS To determine the incidence of, and risk factors for, stardust gastric mucosa potentially induced by vonoprazan METHODS: In this study, we enrolled 19 503 patients who underwent endoscopy at our hospital between 2016 and 2019. Using propensity score matching, we retrospectively compared patients who received and did not receive vonoprazan. The two groups were matched for age, sex, history of proton pump inhibitor use, and atrophic gastritis. RESULTS After 1:1 propensity score matching, each group comprised 2516 patients. Stardust gastric mucosa was detected significantly more often in the stomachs of patients receiving vonoprazan than those who had not received vonoprazan (4.9% vs 0.2%, P  205 days of vonoprazan oral intake (odds ratio [OR]: 6.99, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.60-10.88) and female sex (OR: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.20-2.58). CONCLUSIONS Stardust gastric mucosa appeared more frequently in the stomachs of patients taking vonoprazan.