Factors Predicting Effectiveness of Eradication Therapy for Helicobacter pylori -Associated Dyspepsia Symptoms

Functional dyspepsia is distinguishable from -associated dyspepsia. However, distinguishing -associated dyspepsia from functional dyspepsia before eradication is difficult. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to investigate whether serum pepsinogen levels before eradication are associated with the amelioration of dyspepsia after successful eradication. Additionally, we examined the usefulness of serum pepsinogen levels and other factors in predicting dyspepsia outcomes. eradication was effective in 14 patients (Responders) and ineffective in 19 patients (Non-responders). The pepsinogen I/II ratio in Responders (3.4 ± 1.2) and Non-responders (2.3 ± 1.0) differed significantly ( = 0.006). The optimal cut-off pepsinogen I/II value was 2.3. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the adjusted odds ratio for Non-responders was 26.1 (95% confidence interval: 2.0-338.0, = 0.012) for a pepsinogen I/II ratio ≤ 2.3 and 8.10 (95% confidence interval: 1.1-57.6, = 0.037) for smoking habits. The pepsinogen I/II ratio and smoking habits were associated with the effects of eradication on dyspeptic symptoms. Thus, the pepsinogen I/II ratio cut-off value can be used to identify patients likely to respond to eradication after the resolution of dyspeptic symptoms.