SERUM PEPSINOGEN-I AND PEPSINOGEN-II CONCENTRATIONS AND IGG ANTIBODY TO HELICOBACTER-PYLORI IN DYSPEPTIC PATIENTS

Aims-To investigate the association between histologically confirmed g astritis, carriage of Helicobacter pylori and pepsinogen (PG) I and PG II concentrations. Methods-Prospective study of 81 dyspeptic patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was made. The extent of g astric mucosal inflammation and the presence of H pylori was determine d, and serology to evaluate PG I and II concentrations and IgG titres to H pylori was carried out. Results-The presence of H pylori was stro ngly correlated with high IgG antibody titres to H pylori and gastriti s. Patients who were H pylori positive had significantly higher PG I a nd PG II concentrations and a significantly lower PG I:PG II ratio tha n patients who were negative for H pylori. In 13 patients with duodena l ulcer and H pylori positive gastritis serum PG I concentrations were significantly higher than in H pylori positive patients without duode nal ulcer. Significant correlations were found between the age of pati ents and serum PG II, the PG I:PG II ratio, IgG antibodies to H pylori , the severity of body gastritis and H pylori infection, and between t he degree of gastritis in the body of the stomach and the PG II concen tration. Conclusions-Serum PG I and II concentrations, together with a fall in the PG I:PG II ratio, could be used as predictors of H pylori infection as well as serum IgG antibody response to H pylori.