Why is peptic ulcer now a disease?

Peptic Ulcer Disease: Introduction

Peptic ulcer disease represents a serious medical problem. Approximately 500,000 new cases are reported each year, with 5 million people affected in the United States alone. Interestingly, those at the highest risk of contracting peptic ulcer disease are those generations born around the middle of the 20th century. Ulcer disease has become a disease predominantly affecting the older population,...

Peptic Ulcer Disease

Peptic ulcer disease prevalence is decreasing in the West, except in certain populations such as immigrants. [2] A UK population-based cohort study reported an overall incidence of uncomplicated peptic ulcer as being 0.75 cases per 1,000 person-years, declining from 1.1 to 0.52 cases per 1,000 person-years between 1997 and 2005. A reduction in H. pylori-related peptic ulcers, changing patterns ...

Peptic Ulcer Disease

Asymptomatic peptic ulcer disease.

Peptic ulcer disease is usually diagnosed on the basis of well recognised symptoms confirmed by endoscopy or barium study. Within the community an unknown number of people, however, may have peptic ulcer disease without symptoms, some of whom present only because of haemorrhage or perforation. Roughly a third of the cases of perforated peptic ulcer, for example, occur in people without any prev...

Peptic ulcer disease.

Peptic ulcer disease affects between 5 percent and 10 percent of Americans during their lifetime. There are a variety of predisposing factors, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use, Helicobacter pylori infection, tobacco use and, possibly, certain dietary practices. While H2-receptor antagonists remain the mainstay of therapy, the selection of an antiulcer drug should be ind...