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Risk Factors
Age

It was found that the incidence of achlorhydria in patients under the age of 60 was around 2.3%, whereas it was 5% in patients over the age of 60. In a persons 30s, the prevalence is about 2.5%, and increases to 12% in a persons 80s.

An absence of hydrochloric acid increases with advancing age. A lack of hydrochloric acid produced by the stomach is one of the most common age-related caused of a harmed digestive system.

Among men and women, 27% suffer from a varying degree of achlorhydria. US researchers found that over 30% of women and men over the age of 60 suffer from having little to no acid secretion in the stomach. Additionally, 40% of postmenopausal women have shown to have no basal gastric acid secretion in the stomach, with 39.8% occurring in females 80 to 89 years old

Autoimmune Disorders

Autoimmune disorders are also linked to advancing age, specifically autoimmune gastritis, which is when the body produces unwelcomed antibodies and causes inflammation of the stomach. Autoimmune disorders are also a cause for small bacterial growth in the bowel and a deficiency of Vitamin B-12. These have also proved to be factors of acid secretion in the stomach.

Hypothyroidism: The thyroid hormone is a factor in the decreasing of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, thus hypothyroidism is associated with a greater risk of developing achlorhydria.

Autoimmune conditions are often managed using various treatments, however these treatments have no known effect on achlorhydria.

Other
Other risk factors include, over the counter acid- blocking medications and antibiotics that may be used to block stomach acid. These medications are often taken by individuals for a longer recommended dose, even years, despite causing reverse effects on stomach acid secretion.

Stress has also been proven to be linked to symptoms associated with achlorhydria including constant belching, constipation, and abdominal pain.