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

• Published in: Journal of gastrointestinal and liver diseases : JGLD 2021-02
• Main Authors: Di Mario, Francesco, Crafa, Pellegrino, Franceschi, Marilisa, Rodriguez-Castro, Kryssia, Baldassarre, Gianluca, Ferronato, Antonio, Antico, Antonio, Panozzo, Maria Piera, Franzoni, Lorella, Barchi, Alberto, Russo, Michele, De Bortoli, Nicola, Ghisa, Matteo, Savarino, Edoardo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1841-8724; 1842-1121
• DOI: 10.15403/jgld-2952

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