Gastric Cancer Risk Screening with Pepsinogen Tests for Japanese Expatriates in the Netherlands

positive test Methods The first-time test data ( n =772) obtained from our study population were analysed to describe trends in pepsinogen 1 and 2 levels and ratio in relation to sex and age. The criteria for active gastritis based on pepsinogen levels were then applied to the same data excluding positive test results. The cases thus sorted out were further analyzed. Results Our study population showed similar trends to those found in the literature with regard to differences in pepsinogen levels and ratio between both genders and different age groups. The “active-gastritis” group showed a significantly lower pepsinogen ratio than the remaining group, which presumably repre-sents a late stage of active gastritis in transition to atrophic gastritis. Conclusion assumed low prevalence of advanced pathology in our study population may an extended application of pepsinogen tests based on assessment with pepsinogen levels and ratio for pre-venting gastric cancer at an early stage.