Newer clinical and laboratory studies in the aged. III. Urinary test for gastric secretion of hydrochloric acid in patients 80 to 100 years of age.

Abstract

1. Tubeless gastric acidity was studied in “normal” geriatric patients 80–100 years of age, male and female. 2. Achlorhydria was found in 30% of “normal” geriatric patients while acidity was present in 70% of the patients. 3. Gastro-intestinal x-rays showed normal studies in 52% of the patients. Only one case of gastric malignancy, two of gastric ulcer, and one of duodenal ulcer were encountered. 4. Positive tubeless gastric acidity values (69.5%) approximated the normal and varied insignificant gastro-intestinal x-ray findings (70.4%). 5. Discrepancy between the negative tubeless gastric acidity method and the positive gastric intubation for acidity was 11.1%. 6. The convenience and economy of the tubeless gastric acidity method makes it possible to screen large numbers of geriatric patients and eliminate unnecessary x-ray examinations. 7. The urinary test for gastric secretion of hydrochloric acid (tubeless method) should be advocated in geriatric patients and in conditions that would contra-indicate intubation.