Korean Journal of Gastrointestinal Motility  1999;5(2):119-126

Influence of Helicobacter pylori Infection on Gastric Motor and Sensory Function in Asymptomatic Healthy Volunteers.

Byung Wook KIM 1 ; Myung Gyu CHOI ; Hwang CHOI ; Sung Kyu PARK ; Choon Sang BHANG ; Jin Il KIM ; Suk Won HAN ; In Sik CHUNG ; Kyu Won CHUNG ; Hee Sik SUN

Affiliations

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Keywords

Gastric motility; Gastric sensation; H. pylori; Barostat

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The influence of Helicobacter pylori infection on gastric motility and sensation is unclear. Our hypothesis is that H. pylori infection increases gastric sensation and reduces gastric accommodation. METHODS: Seventeen healthy volunteers were recruited by public advertisement. Gastrointestinal symptoms were assessed by a questionnaire. All subjects underwent gastrofiberoscopy for assessment of organic diseases and for diagnosis of H. pylori infection. We evaluated for (1) proximal gastric compliance, (2) gastric sensation for three symptoms (nausea, abdominal fullness, and abdominal discomfort/pain) during balloon inflation and (3) fasting and postprandial proximal gastric tone using a barostat. RESULTS: The H. pylori negative (HP-) volunteers were eight (M:F=7:1, mean age 28+/-4 years) and the H. pylori positive (HP+) volunteers were nine (M:F=5:4, mean age 31+/-11 years). There was no difference in the fasting and the postprandial proximal gastric tone between the two groups. The minimal distending pressure was similar between the two groups [5.50+/-1.69(HP-) vs. 5.78+/-1.72 (HP+)]. No differences were detected on aggregate perception scores during the three levels of phasic distension. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that H. pylori infection in asymptomatic subjects may not significantly alter gastric sensitivity or gastric accommodation.