The fasting and food-stimulated serum gastrin concentration in 151 duodenal ulcer patients compared to 41 healthy subjects

Abstract

The basal and postprandial serum gastrin concentrations (SGC) were compared between 151 duodenal ulcer (DU) patients and 41 non-dyspeptic volunteers. All DU patients had an eventful history and were submitted to us for surgery. The basal SGC was significantly higher in DU patients (40 ± 30 vs 17 ± 8 pg/ml). The peak postprandial SGC was also significantly higher (123 ± 83 vs 52 ± 28 pg/ml) and the intergrated gastrin output twice as high as in healthy subjects (5311 ± 3879 vs 2554 ± 1995 pg/ml × min; P < 0.01). A statistically significant liniar correlation for fasting and maximal postprandial SGC was found. No statistically significant interrelation between gastrin and acid parameters existed. In the DU patients no differences in SGC were found according to age. Fifteen patients complained of non-alimentary vomiting as part of their ulcer symptoms. They had significantly higher SGC although no differences in acid secretion were found. No significant differences in gastrin or acids were related to ulcer complications.