|
|
Article: The unseen epidemic: the linked syndromes of achlorhydria and atrophic gastritis.
- Article from:
- Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients
- Article date:
- July 1, 2004
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2004 The Townsend Letter Group. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
Introduction
It is commonly assumed that the decline in gastric acid production observed through later adult life (approximately 30% of the population over 65 years are hypochlorhydric) is a "normal" and very common consequence of the ageing process. Recent evidence, however, shows that these assumptions are incorrect and that the frequently observed reduction or loss of gastric acid production is generally the result of often-undiagnosed asymptomatic atrophic gastritis. The atrophic gastritis often has underlying infections as its root cause.
This mini review describes the prevalence and causes of atrophic gastritis and its linkage with achlorhydria, ...