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Gastric acidity in older adults

A Hurwitz¹, D A Brady, S E Schaal

¹Department of Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City 66160-7320, USA. ahurwitz@kumc.edu

|August 27, 1997

Summary

Most older adults maintain gastric acidity, challenging previous beliefs. Low acidity in some elderly individuals is linked to atrophic gastritis, indicating a need for further research.

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Gastric Point of Care Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition and Interpretation

Gastric Point of Care Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition and Interpretation

Published on: September 22, 2023

Area of Science:

Gastroenterology
Geriatrics
Internal Medicine

Background:

Conventional wisdom suggested declining gastric acidity with age.
However, the rarity of achlorhydria sequelae in the elderly questioned this notion.

Purpose of the Study:

To determine the prevalence of basal gastric acidity in older adults.
To assess the prevalence of atrophic gastritis using serum pepsinogen ratios in this demographic.

Main Methods:

A cross-sectional study involving 248 independent, elderly volunteers (aged 65+).
Noninvasive evaluation of basal gastric acid secretion using quininium resin.
Atrophic gastritis diagnosis based on serum pepsinogen I/II ratio (<2.9).

Main Results:

84% of subjects exhibited acidic gastric content (pH <3.5) in the basal state.
Prevalence estimates: 67% consistent acid secretion, 22% intermittent, 11% consistently high pH.
Consistent hyposecretors (low acid) showed a high prevalence of atrophic gastritis (67%) compared to acid secretors (5%).

Conclusions:

Contrary to common belief, most elderly individuals retain gastric acid secretion capacity.
Low gastric acidity in the elderly is significantly associated with atrophic gastritis.
Findings suggest a re-evaluation of age-related gastric acidity decline is warranted.