Plasma norepinephrine is abnormal in patients with duodenal ulcer. The significance of age.

Previous studies indicate that the forearm venous plasma norepinephrine (NE) concentration is abnormally high in patients with duodenal ulcer. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between age and plasma NE concentration in patients with duodenal ulcer and controls. Eleven male patients with duodenal ulcer and 12 male control subjects were examined. Plasma NE concentration was approximately twofold greater in duodenal ulcer patients in both the resting seated position and during exercise than values obtained in controls (2 p < 0.02, < 0.05). There was a strong correlation between plasma NE and age in patients with duodenal ulcer but not in controls (r = 0.69, 2p < 0.05). Our results suggest that the increase in plasma NE with age is greater in patients with duodenal ulcer than in normal healthy subjects or in patients with minor surgical diseases. Patients with duodenal ulcer may have a higher functional age than healthy subjects.