You have full text access to this OnlineOpen article

Serum pepsinogen can predict response to H2-receptor antagonist in patients with functional dyspepsia

  1. I. Yoshikawa,
  2. I. Murata,
  3. K. Kume,
  4. K. Kanagawa,
  5. Y. Hirohata,
  6. H. Nakamura,
  7. M. Otsuki

Article first published online: 19 SEP 2002

DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2036.2002.01352.x

Issue

Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics

Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics

Volume 16, Issue 10, pages 1805–1809, October 2002

Additional Information

How to Cite

Yoshikawa, I., Murata, I., Kume, K., Kanagawa, K., Hirohata, Y., Nakamura, H. and Otsuki, M. (2002), Serum pepsinogen can predict response to H2-receptor antagonist in patients with functional dyspepsia. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 16: 1805–1809. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2036.2002.01352.x

Author Information

  1. Third Department of Internal Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, School of Medicine, Kitakyushu, Japan

*Correspondence to: Dr M. Otsuki, Third Department of Internal Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, School of Medicine, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan. E-mail: mac-otsk@med.uoeh-u.ac.jp

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 19 SEP 2002
  2. Article first published online: 19 SEP 2002
  3. Accepted for publication 1 July 2002

SEARCH

SEARCH BY CITATION

ARTICLE TOOLS

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (82K)

Summary

Background : Therapy for the relief of symptoms of functional dyspepsia is unpredictable.

Aim : To identify which patients may benefit from antisecretory therapy.

Methods : Twenty-seven patients with functional dyspepsia were selected to receive H2-receptor antagonist (H2RA) treatment for 4 weeks. Serum pepsinogen A, pepsinogen C and gastrin were measured, and Helicobacter pylori status was determined. Symptoms were assessed at baseline and after H2RA treatment.

Results : Fourteen patients were identified as H2RA responders and the remaining patients were non-responders. No differences were found between responders and non-responders with regard to serum pepsinogen A, pepsinogen C, gastrin and H. pylori status. However, the pepsinogen A/C ratio was significantly higher in responders than in non-responders. Ten of the 13 functional dyspepsia patients (77%) with a high value of the pepsinogen A/C ratio (≥ 4.5) achieved symptom resolution by H2RA, compared with only one of the eight patients (13%) with a low value of the pepsinogen A/C ratio (≤ 3.0).

Conclusions : The serum pepsinogen A/C ratio seems to identify those functional dyspepsia patients for whom acid control provides benefit. This ratio may be a practical tool for the management of functional dyspepsia patients.

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (82K)