Effect of Smoking on Gastric Acid Secretion

Abstract

Summary: The effect of smoking on gastric acid secretion was studied in 16 smokers and 16 non-smokers. The basal, smoking, and peak acid outputs were determined. Statistical analysis showed the following results: No significant difference was found between the mean basal acid output and mean smoking acid output, in both smokers and non-smokers. The mean peak acid output was significantly much higher than both the mean basal and smoking acid out-puts, in smokers and non-smokers. There was no significant difference in the mean basal, smoking, and peak acid outputs between smokers and non-smokers. When the difference between basal and smoking acid outputs were considered in each individual case, however, the smoking acid output tended to be lower than basal in smokers, but higher than basal in non-smokers. This difference was just significant. It is concluded that while smoking has no significant effect on gastric acid secretion in smokers and non-smokers, there appears to be a significant difference in the gastric secretory response to smoking between smokers and non-smokers.