Gastric juice MicroRNAs as biomarkers for functional dyspepsia: an observational case-control study
Abstract
Background and aims MicroRNAs (miRNAs, miRs) are stable RNA molecules that regulate gene expression and hold promise as biomarkers. Functional dyspepsia (FD), a complex gastrointestinal disorder, is characterized by motility dysfunction, visceral hypersensitivity, and gut microbiome alterations. Given the limitations of current diagnostic markers, miRNAs may offer novel insights for diagnosis and risk stratification. Methods We conducted an observational case–control study involving 28 FD patients (14 with epigastric pain syndrome [EPS], 14 with postprandial distress syndrome [PDS]) and 22 healthy controls (HC). All subjects underwent gastroscopy with gastric juice collection. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure levels of selected miRNAs (miR-21-5p, miR-155-5p, miR-203a) in gastric fluid, with miR-16 and U6 as endogenous controls. Fold-change in miRNA expression was calculated. We compared miRNA levels between groups and between FD subtypes and assessed correlations with symptom severity (using the Functional Dyspepsia Symptom Diary scores). Statistical significance was determined by non-parametric tests, with p < 0.05 as threshold. Results Gastric juice miR-21-5p was significantly elevated in FD patients compared to controls (FD: 19.98 ± 91.56 fold-change vs. HC: 2.63 ± 3.30 fold-change p = 0.00774). In contrast, miR-155-5p and miR-203a levels did not differ significantly overall between FD and healthy groups. However, within FD, PDS patients showed a distinct…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a case-control. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 28 participants or records.
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