Study of gastric secretory activity in Schistosomal hepatic with ascites

ABSTRACT

Gastric secretory activity was studied in ten patients with schistosomal hepatic fibrosis with ascites and five control subjects. Free and total acidity were determined in the basal and stimulated gastric secretions. Pepsin activity was also measured in the basal gastric contents. The results showed significant fall in free and total acidity and significant reduction in pepsin activity in schistosomal patients. This was attributed to diminished secretory power of the stomach due to chronic venous congestion caused by the portal venous hypertension. Clinically all patients had sense of fullness in the epigastrium after meals. Intestinal flatulence was found in 80% of patients and heart-burn occurred in 20% of patients