First ever non-invasive ‘’stomach function test’’ in the country
First line diagnostic test for dyspepsia~
Mumbai, NFAPost: A simple blood test that measures the blood plasma concentrations of four stomach-specific biomarkers; Pepsinogen I, Pepsinogen II, Gastrin 17b and Helicobacter pylori IgG antibodies.
Why gastro panel test?
The gastro panel Test is designed to be the first line diagnostics test for dyspepsia, and the only test of its kind that also measures structure and functional assessment of stomach mucosa. It is a non-invasive test that provides valuable diagnostic insights on dyspepsia to general practitioners and gastroenterologists.
What is Dyspepsia?
Dyspepsia simply means ‘bad or poor digestion’. It is a common complaint among individuals seeking medical care from gastroenterologists or even among the general population. Dyspepsia includes symptoms like indigestion, upper abdominal discomfort or pain, nausea, vomiting, burps, belching (often after eating/drinking).
Dyspepsia are of 2 kinds, ‘Organic Dyspepsia’ – symptoms with a known cause and ‘Functional Dyspepsia’ in which there are symptoms with no specific or obvious cause.
Dyspepsia is diagnosed in presence of symptoms thought to originate from the gastro-duodenal region (early satiation, postprandial fullness, epigastric pain or burning).
Speaking on the launch of the test SRL Labs Technical Director Anurag Bansal said SRL is proud to launch this unique gastric panel test that has a high sensitivity and specificity.
“It is designed in a way to give an overall picture of stomach function. To put it simply, this test helps differentiate between a healthy and a non-healthy stomach. It reliably detects gastritis and H.Pylori infection and also estimates an increased susceptibility for stomach cancer and peptic ulcer,” said Anurag Bansal.
Symptoms of Dyspepsia are commonly observed in India. While the prevalence is estimated at 20-40% of the population worldwide; in India, some studies point to a prevalence of over 30.4%. Particularly in IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) cases, the prevalence of dyspepsia could be as high as 58%.
On the other hand, celiac disease is on the rise in India, symptoms of celiac and functional dyspepsia often overlap leading to misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis and inappropriate therapy which hampers the quality of life in patients.’’
Who should be screened with Gastro Panel?
· Patients with or without dyspepsia, hyperacidity, Indigestion, flatulence, epigastric pain, Reflux disease, Autoimmune disorders – Thyroid, DM1, Celiac disease, IBD (Overlapping symptoms)
· Patients with gastritis related and non-related to H.Pylori infection
· Chronic atrophic gastritis
· A reliable test for patient who is on PPI administration (Proton Pump Inhibitor) for more than five years. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are a class of drugs used to treat GERD, peptic ulcers, and H. pylori.
· When patient is not willing or not suited for Endoscopy.
· Ideal test for patients above 60 years
· Excellent follow up test to confirm eradication of H.Pylori
· Enables detailed assessment of atrophic / H. pylori gastritis
