Characteristics of gastric mucus in elderly patients with gastric ulcers.
OBJECTIVE
Studies of the most important defensive factor, gastric mucus, in the treatment of gastric ulcers in elderly patients have been lacking. Therefore we focused on the changes in gastric mucus during the ulcer-healing process in elderly patients.


METHODS
Twenty elderly patients (> or = 65 years old), and 20 younger patients (< 65 years old) with gastric ulcers were administered antisecretory agents for 24 weeks. Biopsies were taken from the antrum and body of the stomach, and the levels of gastric mucosal hexosamine and periodic acid-Schiff-positive gastric mucus were measured.


RESULTS
In both groups, the hexosamine levels in the specimens from the body of the stomach declined during the healing process. The decrease was more marked in the elderly, and the recovery of this level was also slower than in the younger group. The periodic acid-Schiff-positive mucosal index was also lower in the elderly. A decrease in body periodic acid-Schiff-positive mucus was seen with treatment in both groups, but recovery was slower in the elderly group.


CONCLUSIONS
A decrease in gastric mucus, as a gastric mucosal defensive factor, was seen in gastric ulcers in elderly patients. The potential usefulness of the administration of mucosal protective agents for elderly patients with gastric ulcers was suggested.
Kishimoto
M
M
First Department of Internal Medicine, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Minamikogushi, Ube, Yamaguchi, 755-8505, Japan.
Yanai
H
H
Okazaki
Y
Y
Matsui
H
H
Yoshida
T
T
Okita
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D006595:Hexosamines / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000473:pathology*
D006595:Hexosamines