[Gastrin secretion in patients with functional dyspepsia]

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Endocrinology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Functional dyspepsia (FD) pathogenesis is complex, with potential roles for gastric acid secretion, motility disturbances, and enterohormones like gastrin.
• Understanding gastrin's role in FD is crucial for elucidating disease mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate gastrin concentration levels in patients diagnosed with functional dyspepsia.
• To determine if gastrin levels correlate with the intensity and type of symptoms in FD patients.

Main Methods:

• Fifty FD patients (Rome III Criteria), divided into Epigastric Pain Syndrome (EPS) and Postprandial Distress Syndrome (PDS) subgroups, were compared to 20 healthy controls.
• Gastrin levels were measured using ELISA. Helicobacter pylori infection was assessed via CLO-test, histology, and urea breath test.
• Symptom intensity was graded on a 10-point scale.

Main Results:

• Fasting gastrin concentrations were significantly higher in FD patients (EPS: 7.51 ± 2.46 pmol/L; PDS: 6.92 ± 2.18 pmol/L) compared to controls (2.4 ± 1.23 pmol/L).
• FD patients with H. pylori infection showed markedly elevated gastrin levels (15.28 ± 5.3 pmol/L).
• Gastrin levels did not significantly correlate with symptom intensity in either EPS or PDS subgroups.

Conclusions:

• Fasting gastrin levels are elevated in patients with functional dyspepsia, irrespective of symptom type (EPS or PDS).
• Symptom severity does not appear to be directly correlated with increased gastrin concentrations in FD.
• Elevated gastrin in FD warrants further investigation into its pathophysiological role.