Lahoud C, Reddy S, Tam R, Qaqish F, Dhakal R, Hasham A. Updates on the clinical use of artificial intelligence in upper gastrointestinal diseases: A comprehensive literature review. World J Clin Cases 2026; 14(28): 126107 [DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.126107]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Chloe Lahoud, MD, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health, 2601 Ocean Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11235, United States. chloelahoud@gmail.com
Research Domain of This Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
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review-article
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Lahoud C, Reddy S, Tam R, Qaqish F, Dhakal R, Hasham A. Updates on the clinical use of artificial intelligence in upper gastrointestinal diseases: A comprehensive literature review. World J Clin Cases 2026; 14(28): 126107 [DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.126107]
World J Clin Cases. Oct 26, 2026; 14(28): 126107 Published online Oct 26, 2026. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.126107
Updates on the clinical use of artificial intelligence in upper gastrointestinal diseases: A comprehensive literature review
Chloe Lahoud, Shivania Reddy, Ryan Tam, Faris Qaqish, Rabindra Dhakal, Alia Hasham
Chloe Lahoud, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health, Brooklyn, NY 11235, United States
Shivania Reddy, Ryan Tam, Faris Qaqish, Rabindra Dhakal, Department of Internal Medicine, Staten Island University Hospital, Northwell Health, Staten Island, NY 10305, United States
Alia Hasham, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Staten Island University Hospital, Northwell Health, Staten Island, NY 10305, United States
Author contributions: Lahoud C, Reddy S, Tam R, Qaqish F, and Dhakal R designed the research study, data collection, literature review and manuscript drafting; Hasham A provided supervision and revision of the manuscript.
AI contribution statement: Artificial intelligence was used solely to assist with grammatical editing. All AI-assisted revisions were reviewed and verified by the authors.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to disclose.
Corresponding author: Chloe Lahoud, MD, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health, 2601 Ocean Pkwy, Brooklyn, NY 11235, United States. chloelahoud@gmail.com
Received: July 27, 2026 Revised: October 21, 2026 Accepted: October 23, 2026 Published online: October 26, 2026 Processing time: 91 Days and 5.7 Hours
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being integrated into gastroenterology, with growing applications in upper gastrointestinal (GI) disease detection, diagnosis, risk stratification, and treatment guidance. We performed a comprehensive literature review of the clinical use of AI in upper GI pathologies, focusing on Barrett’s esophagus, gastroesophageal reflux disease, esophagogastric varices, esophageal cancer, and gastric cancer. A systematic search of PubMed/ MEDLINE, EMBASE, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Library was conducted from October 2024 through March 2026 using Medical Subject Headings terms and free-text keywords related to AI and upper GI disease. Eligible English-language studies included original research, reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses addressing diagnostic, prognostic, or therapeutic applications of AI. Across disease states, AI demonstrated strong performance in image recognition, endoscopic lesion detection, histopathologic interpretation, bleeding risk prediction, and automated clinical decision support. In several studies, AI systems matched or outperformed general endoscopists in detecting Barrett’s-related dysplasia, grading reflux esophagitis, identifying and risk-stratifying varices, and recognizing early esophageal and gastric neoplasia. Emerging multimodal and radiomics-based models also showed promise for noninvasive screening and treatment response prediction. Despite encouraging results, most studies remain retrospective and heterogeneous. Prospective multicenter validation, regulatory oversight, and ethical safeguards are needed before widespread clinical implementation.
Core Tip: Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the management of upper gastrointestinal diseases by improving lesion detection, diagnosis, risk stratification, and clinical decision-making. AI has demonstrated diagnostic accuracy comparable to that of general endoscopists in several upper gastrointestinal conditions. While these findings are promising, prospective validation and standardized implementation are needed before widespread clinical adoption.
