A possible association of low pepsinogen I and pepsinogen I/II with low and high body weight in Japanese men

Abstract

BackgroundIt is unknown whether low serum pepsinogen I and pepsinogen I/II ratio (PGI–PGI/II), a marker for chronic atrophic gastritis, is associated with low or high body weight. MethodsWe investigated the association between low PGI–PGI/II and both ends of the spectrum of body mass index (BMI) in 819 apparently healthy Japanese men aged 20–75years who received a medical check-up in 2008. ResultsIn univariate analysis, serum pepsinogen I, but not pepsinogen II or pepsinogen I/II, was significantly reduced across the increasing BMI categories. Multivariate regression analysis showed that, compared with BMI 21.0–22.9kg/m2, BMI of 20.9kg/m2 and less or 25.0kg/m2 and above was significantly associated with low PGI–PGI/II (pepsinogen I<50ng/ml combined with PG I/II<3.0), even after adjustment for relevant confounders. These associations showed a J-shaped curve against BMI. ConclusionLow PGI–PGI/II may be independently associated with both low body weight and obesity in Japanese men.