Gastric acidity in rheumatoid arthritis

ABSTRACT

Basal and maximal histamine stimulated gastric acidity was determined in 24 patients with classical rheumatoid arthritis. Gastric acidity was found to be significantly lower than in normal controls. This was especially marked in female patients, in old patients above 40 years of age, and in severe rheumatoid arthritis. Parenteral methysergide, an anti-serotonin, produced significant augmentation of basal acidity [210 percent], while the increase in maximal acidity varied according to the underlying defect whether functional or organic. The underlying mechanisms of diminished gastric acidity in rheumatoid arthritis were discussed. A pathologic mucosa as a part of the systemic involvement of rheumatoid disease was postulated in some cases. Diminished gastric secretion secondary to reduced gastric mucosal blood flow because of wide spread vaculitis may be a factor. Gastric parietal cell antibodies may be another possibility. Disturbed serotonin metabolism may play a part in inhibition of gastric acidity in some patients