title: Laboratory medicine in ulcer disease.
abstract: The role of laboratory medicine in ulcer disease is poorly defined. However there is increasing evidence of the clinical usefulness of some laboratory tests that investigate secretory functions and defensive properties of the stomach, gastrointestinal hormones and Helicobacter pylori infection. These tests may modify the clinical management of patients with peptic ulcer by identifying H. pylori positive subjects, patients with high acid output, patients who do not respond to antisecretory therapy, and patients with high gastrin levels in whom Zollinger-Ellison syndrome may be suspected. Here we review the clinical value of laboratory tests in ulcer disease, particularly as concerns the cost/benefit ratio. The relative merits of these tests are described giving an indication of their possible role in the diagnostic algorithm.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Laboratory Medicine, University-Hospital of Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Plebani
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vianello
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Di Mario
mesh_terms: D002624:Chemistry, Clinical; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005744:Gastric Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D005768:Gastrointestinal Hormones / Q000032:analysis*; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D010434:Pepsin A / Q000378:metabolism; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D005768:Gastrointestinal Hormones; D010434:Pepsin A