Table 1. Clinical characteristics.
| Clinical characteristics | Number of patients | % |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | ||
| Female | 16 | 53 |
| Male | 14 | 47 |
| Main symptom at presentation | ||
| Epigastric pain | 15 | 50 |
| Symptomatic anemia | 1 | 3 |
| Upper gastrointestinal bleeding | 9 | 30 |
| Anorexia/ weight loss | 4 | 13 |
| 1Others | 1 | 3 |
| Helicobacter infection | ||
| Positive | 20 | 67 |
| Negative | 10 | 33 |
| Hemoglobin level at presentation | ||
| <10 g/L | 11 | 37 |
| ≥10 g/L | 19 | 63 |
| LDH at presentation | ||
| Normal | 11 | 37 |
| Elevated | 2 | 7 |
| Unknown | 17 | 56 |
| Endoscopic appearance | ||
| Gastritis | 6 | 20 |
| Benign-looking ulcer/ erosion | 15 | 50 |
| Tumour/ ulcer with raised edge | 9 | 30 |
| Stage of disease at presentation | ||
| Stage I | 27 | 90 |
| Stage II1 | 2 | 7 |
| 2Unknown | 1 | 3 |
1This patient only complained of change of bowel habit with colonoscopy showing EMZBL-MALT in ascending and sigmoid colon. In view of such colonoscopy finding, OGD was performed subsequently and gastric EMZBL-MALT was found; 2Patient’s family members refused further investigations and treatment in view of advanced age (92 years old)