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Apr 18, 2016Article Details
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Main Article Content
Bimodal distribution of fasting gastric acidity in a rural African population
Abstract
Objective. To investigate the effect of diet on fasting gastric pH in a rural black African population.
Design. Fasting gastric acid samples were obtained by fine nasogastric tube aspiration from 150 volunteers at a rural health clinic. The pH of these samples was measured and a full dietary questionnaire was used. Helicobacter pylori serology was done on a subgroup of 30 volunteers.
Results and conclusions. A bimodal pH distribution was found. Approximately half the population had a gastric pH within the range 1 - 4; Half had a pH of over 4. A high pH was significantly associated with consumption of maize (p = 0.006), and with consumption of both pumpkin and beans (p = 0.006). A high proportion of this rural African population has a diet-associated abnormally high gastric pH. The pattern of upper gastrointestinal disease may be significantly affected by diet in this community and in others with a similar diet.
