We conclude that H. pylori status should be taken into account when serum pepsinogen concentrations are evaluated in dialysis patients.

In order to explore the role ofHelicobacterpylori (H. pylori) infection in hypergastrinemia in patients on dialysis, the changes in serum gastrin concentration were examinedbefore and after eradication treatment for H. pylori. Twenty-seven patients on dialysis were treated for the eradication of H. pylori Fasting serum gastrin concentrations were measured by a radioimmunoassay which detects gastrin 17. Ammoniaand pHlevels of the gastricjuice were also measured. The serum gastrin concentrations were significantly decreased following eradication of if. pylori, and the meanvalue reached the normalrange. The restoration ofhypergastrinemiawas associated with marked reductions of gastric juice ammonia and pH levels. In contrast, patients in whomH. pylori was not eradicated showed no changes in these parameters. In conclusion, the elevation of the fasting serum gastrin 17 concentration seen in dialysis patients appeared to be attributable to H. pylori infection in the stomach.

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