Evaluation of gastric acid secretion in two patients (each aged over 90 years) with Helicobacter pylori-negative nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-caused duodenal ulcers.

We treated two patients (each aged over 90 years) with Helicobacter pylori-negative nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-caused duodenal ulcers, and had the opportunity to determine gastric acidity by means of 24-h pH monitoring. Endoscopic and histological examination showed no remarkable atrophic change in the gastric mucosa. The gastric pH was low throughout the day and night, and the gastric pH > or = 3 holding time ratio during 24 h was 17.1% and 25.8%, respectively in the two patients, so it was considered that they had gastric acid secretion of the same level as that in normal subjects of the same age or that in the young without H. pylori infection. Because of the complication of reflux esophagitis with a hiatal hernia, rabeprazole sodium, one of the proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), was administered and both patients made excellent progress. In conclusion, gastric acid secretion in patients with H. pylori-negative NSAID-caused duodenal ulcers is fully maintained even in the elderly, so PPIs may be the first choice of treatment.