Abstract

Introduction Gastric inflammation is a precursor to many gastrointestinal disorders including, peptic ulcer disease, atrophic gastritis and gastric cancer. Gastritis is frequent and usually severe in patients with diabetes mellitus (DMT2), probably due to the impairment of their immune status. Atrophic gastritis is usually accompanied by low hydrochloric acid, low pepsinogens and hypergastrinemia and is the most significant risk condition for gastric cancer. Studies on atrophic gastritis are scarce amongst diabetic subjects. This study aimed at detection and comparison of pepsinogen I(PGI) and gastrin-17(G-17) in serum of diabetes mellitus and non-diabetic subjects and also to find if there exists any significant correlation between these markers and DMT2. Materials and methods This case control study of 82 patients (51 diabetics and 31 non-diabetic subjects) was carried out in Yaounde Cameroon during the period January-April 2017. Clinical and sociodemographic information of both groups were recorded. 5 ml of blood was aseptically collected for PGI, PGII enzymes, and G-17 hormones. Assay parameters were analysed using a software application GastroSoft (www.GastroPanel.com). Data was analysed using Epi info 7.0. All statistics were realized at 95% CI. Authorizations were obtained at the Yaounde Central Hospital, and the Cite Verte District Hospital. Ethical clearance was also obtained from the National Ethics Committee. Results Hypergastrinemia (G-17 > 7 pmol/l) was observed in subjects with atrophic corpus gastritis (21.2 ± 24.0 pmol/l), in the diabetics (7.5 ± 0 pmol/l) and the control group (25.70 ± 26.0 pmol/l). Normal pepsinogen I (30 < PGI < 160 µg/l) levels were observed in both diabetic and control groups with nonatrophic gastritis (125.1 ± 53.9 µg/l vs. 110.5 ± 31.7 µg/l) respectively. In the diabetic subjects with atrophic corpus gastritis, pepsongen I levels were significantly reduced (26.65 ± 5.44) p = 0003 and in the control group (18.6 ± 10.3 pmol/l), p = 004. Among the diabetic complications, neuropathy was associated with atrophic corpus gastritis (p = 0.005). Atrophic gastritis (100%) and non-atrophic gastritis (55.8%) were frequent in the 52-62 age groups in the diabetic subjects. Conclusion The result indicates that diabetics are prone to atrophic corpus gastritis which is a risk factor for neurodegenerative disorders and gastric cancer and need continuous monitoring.

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