Dynamic monitoring of serum pepsinogen among high risk populations of gastric cancer in Zhuanghe county

Abstract

To investigate the dynamic changes of serum pepsinogen (PG) among the high risk populations of gastric cancer. Peripheral blood samples were collected from 444 subjects in the high risk areas of gastric cancer in Zhuanghe county, Liaoning province, who underwent screening of gastric cancer, 225 males and 219 females, aged 48.31 (21 - 76). ELISA was used to measure the serum PG I and PG II. The PG I/II ratio was calculated. Gastroscopy was conducted to take 4 pieces of biopsy specimens from each subject to undergo pathological examination. Histological examination and serum Hp-IgG antibody determination by ELISA were performed to detect the infection of Helicobacter pylori (Hp). The above mentioned examinations were carried out at the first screening and 6, 12, and 30 months later during follow-up. (1) In the age group 51 - 60, the percentage change in PG II of 6-month follow-up was 0.84, significantly lower than those of the 12-month follow-up (1.22, P = 0.019) and 30-month follow-up (1.24, P = 0.004), and the percentage change in PG I/II of the 6-month follow-up was 1.09, significantly higher than those of the 12-month follow-up (0.75, P = 0.027) and 30-month follow-up (0.69, P = 0.001). However, there were no significant differences in serum PG I, serum PG II, and PG I/II ratio in other age groups. (2) The percentage change in serum PG I of the patients of superficial gastritis (SG) with mitigation of the 6-month follow-up was 0.69, significantly lower than that of the 12-month follow-up (0.97, P = 0.002). The percentage change in PG I/II of the patients of atrophic gastritis (AG) with mitigation of the 6-month follow-up was 1.13, significantly higher than that of the 12-month follow-up (0.75, P = 0.042). (3) The percentage change in PG I of the SG-->NOR (normal) group was 0.94, significantly higher than that of the SG-->AG group (0.79, P = 0.002). The percentage changes in PG I and PG II of the AG-->NOR group were 0.43 and 0.60 respectively, both significantly lower than those of the AG-->SG group (0.87, P = 0.000, and 1.11, P = 0.010). (4) The percentage change in PG I of the Hp negative-->Hp positive group was 0.94, significantly higher than that of the Hp negative-->Hp negative group (0.81, P = 0.026). The percentage changes in PG I and PG II of the Hp positive-->Hp negative group were 0.74 and 0.86 respectively, both significantly lower than those of Hp positive-->Hp positive group (0.93 and 1.15 respectively, both P = 0.000), and the percentage change in PG I/II of the Hp positive-->Hp negative group was 0.90, significantly higher than that of the Hp positive-->Hp positive group (0.70, P = 0.022). The percentage change of serum PG is correlated with time of follow-up, feature of stomach disease, and status of Hp infection. Dynamic detection of serum PG can be applied in monitoring the populations in high risk area of gastric cancer.