We investigated the effect of H. pylori
therapy on serum concentrations of
pepsinogens on 87 patients of gastro-
duodenal disease. In addition, we intended to see whether serum
pepsinogen can serve as markers of response to H. pylori eradication. In 48 successfully eradicated cases, there was a significant decrease in
gastritis score, and was a significant fall in serum
pepsinogen II (PG II) level, and was a significant increase in
pepsinogen I/II ratio (PG I/II ratio). In contrast, no change in
gastritis score, PG II, and PG I/II ratio were observed in 39 unsuccessfully eradicated patients. No change in serum
pepsinogen I (PG I) level was observed in both groups. In provisional successfully eradicated cases in PG II of decrease greater than 30% in
after treatment, there was a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 89.7%. For the PG I/II ratio of increased greater than 30% in
after treatment, the sensitivity was 95.8%, and the specificity was 94.9%. These findings suggest that PG II, PG I/II ratio can be useful for clinical evaluation of eradication
therapy.