DUODENAL-ULCER PATIENTS EXHIBIT A GREATER SKIN-RESPONSE TO HISTAMINE

Background Histamine is considered a major mediator in the process of gastric acid secretion. When acid peptic activity overpowers the mucos al defense mechanism, peptic ulceration may develop. Is the hyperreact ivity of patients with duodenal ulcer to histamine also expressed in t he skin? Objective The aim of the present study was to assess the reac tivity of patients with duodenal ulcer to histamine as reflected in th e skin, by comparing the erythema and tile cutaneous blood flow respon se to histamine in duodenal ulcer patients and healthy controls. Metho ds Twenty volunteers participated in the study: 10 duodenal ulcer pati ents and 10 age and gender matched healthy controls. Histamine was top ically administered to the back and to the volar side of the forearm, and the induced response was quantified by spectrophotometry and laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF). The extent of the response and time paramete rs were compared. Results The maximum response, as measured by LDF, wa s greater in the peptic nicer patients (P < 0.05) compared to healthy controls. Aging was accompanied by decreased responsiveness in both gr oups. Conclusion The results suggest that some peptic ulcer patients e xhibit a greater cutaneous response to topical application of histamin e than healthy controls. As the methods used are non-invasive, simple and rapid. they might be useful in preclinical ulcer diagnosis and det ection of patients al risk. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.