Low Levels of Gastrin 17 are Related with Endoscopic Findings of Esophagitis and Typical Symptoms of GERD

Authors

  • Francesco Di Mario, M.D. Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
  • Pellegrino Crafa, M.D. Pathology Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8603-863X
  • Marilisa Franceschi, M.D. Endoscopy Unit, Department of Medicine, ULSS7 Pedemontana, Hospital AltoVicentino, Santorso (VI), Italy
  • Kryssia Rodriguez-Castro, M.D. Endoscopy Unit, Department of Medicine, ULSS7 Pedemontana, Hospital AltoVicentino, Santorso (VI), Italy
  • Gianluca Baldassarre, M.D. Endoscopy Unit, Department of Medicine, ULSS7 Pedemontana, Hospital AltoVicentino, Santorso (VI), Italy
  • Antonio Ferronato, M.D. Endoscopy Unit, Department of Medicine, ULSS7 Pedemontana, Hospital AltoVicentino, Santorso (VI), Italy
  • Antonio Antico, M.D. Laboratory of Clinical Pathology, ULSS7 Pedemontana, Hospital AltoVicentino, Santorso (VI), Italy
  • Maria Piera Panozzo, M.D. Laboratory of Clinical Pathology, ULSS7 Pedemontana, Hospital AltoVicentino, Santorso (VI), Italy
  • Lorella Franzoni, Ph.D. Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
  • Alberto Barchi, M.D. Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
  • Michele Russo, M.D. Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
  • Nicola De Bortoli, M.D. Department of Translational Research and New Technology in Medicine and Surgery, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Pisa, Cisanello Hospital, Pisa, Italy
  • Matteo Ghisa, M.D. Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
  • Edoardo Savarino, M.D. Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15403/jgld-2952

Keywords:

reflux disease, GERD, erosive esophagitis, Barrett’s esophagus, gastrin 17, pepsinogens

Abstract

Background and Aims: In clinical practice, most patients with symptoms suggestive of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) undergo esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (EGD), despite its low sensitivity in detecting reflux stigmata. Gastrin 17 (G-17) has been proposed to be related with GERD, due to the negative feedback between acid secretion and this hormone. We assessed the clinical usefulness of fasting G-17 serum determination for a non-invasive diagnosis of GERD in patients with typical symptoms.

Methods: We consecutively enrolled patients complaining of typical GERD symptoms in two different settings: a single referral center and a primary care setting. Control groups consisted of dyspeptic patients. All subjects underwent assessment of serum levels of G-17 and EGD.

Results: At the academic hospital, 100 GERD patients (n=89 with erosive esophagitis and 11 with Barrett’s esophagus) had statistically significant low levels of G-17 as compared with 184 dyspeptic patients (1.7±1.2 pg/L vs 8.9±5.7 pg/L p<0.0001). Similarly, in the primary care setting, 163 GERD patients had statistically significant low levels of G-17 as compared with 132 dyspeptic patients (0.5±0.2 pg/L vs. 4.0±2.6 pg/L, p<0.0001). Moreover, in the primary care setting, no statistically significant differences were found for G-17 levels between patients with erosive and non-erosive reflux pattern (0.4±0.2 vs 0.7±0.3; p=0.08). In primary care, the accuracy of G-17 less than 1 pg/L to diagnose non-invasively GERD was 94.3%.

Conclusions: Low levels of G-17 were detected in patients with erosive esophagitis and Barrett’s esophagus in a referral center and in patients with typical GERD symptoms in a sample of patients from a primary care setting.

Downloads

Published

2021-02-12

How to Cite

1.
Di Mario F, Crafa P, Franceschi M, Rodriguez-Castro K, Baldassarre G, Ferronato A, Antico A, Panozzo MP, Franzoni L, Barchi A, Russo M, De Bortoli N, Ghisa M, Savarino E. Low Levels of Gastrin 17 are Related with Endoscopic Findings of Esophagitis and Typical Symptoms of GERD. JGLD [Internet]. 2021 Feb. 12 [cited 2025 Jul. 9];30(1):25-9. Available from: https://www.jgld.ro/jgld/index.php/jgld/article/view/2952

Issue

Section

Original Article