Antacid use in an ambulatory elderly population. A report from Dunedin Program

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Pharmacology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Antacid medications are widely used by the elderly population.
• Understanding the health implications of common antacid use in this demographic is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of antacid use among elderly ambulatory subjects.
• To examine the association between specific antacid ingredients and serum biochemical parameters.
• To assess adverse effects, such as diarrhea, related to antacid consumption in men.

Main Methods:

• A study was conducted on 3192 elderly ambulatory participants.
• Data on antacid usage patterns were collected.
• Serum concentrations of phosphorus, total protein, and calcium were measured.
• Adverse events, including diarrhea, were reported and analyzed.

Main Results:

• Antacid use was reported by 18.6% of women and 12.9% of men.
• Aluminum-containing antacids were associated with significantly lower serum phosphorus levels (P < 0.02).
• Aluminum and magnesium combination antacids correlated with significantly lower total protein (P < 0.001) and serum calcium (P < 0.04).
• Men using calcium carbonate antacids experienced significantly more diarrhea than controls.

Conclusions:

• Antacid use is prevalent in the elderly, with specific formulations impacting key biochemical markers.
• Aluminum and magnesium-containing antacids may lead to deficiencies in phosphorus, protein, and calcium.
• Calcium carbonate antacids are linked to an increased incidence of diarrhea in men.