Reduced Gastric Mucosal Nerve Density in Functional Dyspepsia: Clinical Significance and Functional Correlation.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to quantitatively examine gastric mucosal nerve density (GMND) in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) and analyzed its clinical correlation. We prospectively enrolled 35 patients with FD and 16 age-matched and gender-matched healthy controls for comparison of GMND on endoscopic biopsy, scores of Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index, and gastric emptying scintigraphy. Patients with FD had lower GMND than the controls in gastric antrum, body, and fundus. GMND was inversely correlated with the Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index scores, but not correlated with gastric emptying scintigraphy parameters. GMND was reduced in FD and inversely correlated with the symptom severity.