Maximal gastric secretion in smokers and non-smokers with duodenal ulcer.

Sex, stature, age and smoking habits were investigated as possible determinants of maximal gastric secretion in pre-operative patients with duodenal ulcer. Stimulation was by an intravenous infusion of histamine (130 nmol kg-1 h-1) in 201 patients. Men were found to secrete significantly more than women, and smokers secreted significantly more than non-smokers. By multiple regression analysis, height and the total number of cigarettes smoked were found to be significant positive, and age significant negative factors in the magnitude of maximal gastric secretion. Upon standardization for these factors, the differences between the sexes and the smoking groups disappeared. It is suggested that, at least in men, chronic smoking increases maximal gastric secretion, and therefore could have a role in the aetiology of duodenal ulcer.