BEST-J Score: Validation of a Predicting Model for Delayed Bleeding After Gastric Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection on a European Sample

Delayed bleeding (DB) is a possible adverse event following gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). The BEST-J score was created as a risk prediction model for DB following gastric ESD, but is yet to be validated in Western populations.

We aimed to validate the BEST-J score on a European sample and to perform a subgroup analysis according to histological classification.

Retrospective study of all consecutive patients undergoing gastric ESD on a European Endoscopic Unit. DB was defined as hemorrhage with clinical symptoms and confirmed by emergency endoscopy from the time of completion to 28 days after ESD. BEST-J score was calculated in each patient and confronted with the outcome (DB).

Final sample included 161 patients. From these, 10 (6.2%) presented DB following ESD, with a median time to bleeding of 7 days (IQR 6.8). BEST-J score presented an excellent accuracy predicting DB in our sample, with an AUC = 0.907 (95%CI 0.801–1.000; p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis by histological classification proved that the discriminative power was still excellent for each grade: low-grade dysplasia—AUC = 0.970 (p < 0.001); high-grade dysplasia—AUC = 0.874 (p < 0.001); early gastric cancer—AUC = 0.881 (p < 0.001). The optimal cut-off value to predict DB was a BEST-J score ≥ 3, which matches the cut-off value for high-risk of bleeding in the original investigation.

The BEST-J score still presents excellent accuracy in risk stratification for post-ESD bleeding in European individuals. Thus, this score may help to guide which patients benefit the most from prophylactic therapies following gastric ESD in this setting.