Hereditary alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency in duodenal ulcer

An alpha-1-antitrypsin study was carried out on 184 patients with endoscopically proven duodenal ulcer, 66 first degree relatives of the patients and in 150 healthy controls, to establish the role of genetic factors in the etiology of duodenal ulcer. Alpha-1-antitrypsin served as a genetic marker in this study; it was estimated in terms of serum trypsin inhibitor capacity by the method of Jaccobson. Deficiency of alpha-1-antitrypsin level was recorded in patients as well as their family members when compared with controls.