Predictors for the Development of Hypergastrinemia in Maintenance Treatment for Mild Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Using a Half-dose Proton Pump Inhibitor.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Serum gastrin levels may be elevated following proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. We aim to elucidate the predictors for the development of hypergastrinemia in maintenance treatment for mild gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) using a half-dose PPI.

METHODS

This study analyzed data from a prospective randomized trial to compare continuous versus on-demand maintenance treatment modalities in patients with mild GERD. Age, sex, body mass index, infection, serum gastrin levels, pepsinogen (PG) I/II ratios, total days of PPI intake, and weight-based PPI dosage (mg/kg) were evaluated.

RESULTS

Data from 293 patients who completed a randomized trial were analyzed (continuous group, n = 147 vs on-demand group, n = 146). In univariate analysis, age ( < 0.001), infection ( = 0.012), baseline gastrin levels ( < 0.001), and baseline PG ratios ( = 0.016) significantly correlated with post-treatment gastrin levels. In multivariate analysis, age, baseline gastrin levels, and baseline PG ratios were independently associated with final serum gastrin levels. In univariate analysis, age ( = 0.018), infection ( = 0.028), baseline gastrin levels ( = 0.011), and baseline PG ratios ( = 0.031) significantly correlated with the development of hypergastrinemia. In multivariate analysis, age, baseline gastrin levels, and baseline PG ratios were independently associated with the development of hypergastrinemia.

CONCLUSION

Old age, high baseline serum gastrin levels, and low baseline PG ratios are significant predictors of the development of hypergastrinemia in maintenance treatment for mild GERD using a half-dose PPI.