Achlorhydria natural history, complications and prognosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

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Overview

Achlorhydria may result in increased bacterial growth in the stomach and duodenum. This increases the risk of several infectious diseases such as salmonellosis, typhoid fever, shigellosis, and various parasitic infections.
Stomach acid is important in liberating minerals from food, thereby increasing the risk that individuals with hypochlorohydria or achlorhydria will develop calcium and zinc deficiencies.
Loss of acid production may also alter the rate or extent of drug absorption.
Atrophic gastritis, one of the complications of achlorhydria, has been considered to be a potential precursor to gastric carcinoma.

The outcome of achlorhydria depends on:

The underlying cause of achlorhydria: If achlorhydria results from cancer or a surgical procedure, the prognosis is more guarded.
The complications of achlorhydria: Atrophic gastritis, one of the complications of achlorhydria, has been considered to be a potential precursor to gastric carcinoma.