Sucrose permeability as a marker for NSAID-induced gastroduodenal injury.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate sucrose permeability as a non-invasive test for the monitoring of upper gastrointestinal mucosal damage (uGMD) in patients treated with NSAIDs.


METHODS
40 patients with non-inflammatory joint pain were enrolled in a prospective study. Before and after 14 days of ibuprofen treatment (3 x 400 mg/day), the rates of urinary sucrose excretion after an oral sucrose load were assessed. Individuals with increased sucrose permeability underwent endoscopy.


RESULTS
8 patients (20%) showed abnormal sucrose permeability before taking any NSAID. In 5/20 patients (25%) who completed 2 weeks of ibuprofen medication, sucrose excretion increased above the normal level. Endoscopic examination and biopsy revealed mild uGMD, but no ulceration in 8/11 (72%) patients with increased permeability to this marker.


CONCLUSIONS
Sucrose permeability testing is a sensitive procedure for research protocols on NSAID-induced gastropathy. Since this test also seems to detect slight and clinically insignificant mucosal damage, however, its use in clinical decision-making regarding gastroprotective medication is limited.
Erlacher
L
L
Department of Internal Medicine III, University of Vienna, Austria.
Wyatt
J
J
Pflugbeil
S
S
Köller
M
M
Ullrich
R
R
Vogelsang
H
H
Smolen
J S
JS
Graninger
W
W
D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability; D004378:Duodenal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D013395:Sucrose / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D013395:Sucrose; D007052:Ibuprofen