Peptic ulcer bleeding in the elderly: relative roles of Helicobacter pylori and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

BACKGROUND Most ulcers are caused, one can deduce, by Helicobacter pylori or by use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Whether both together are worse than one alone is something that is quite unknown. AIM To study both factors in order to see wither they interact together positively. METHOD A case control study of ulcer bleeding in elderly patients chosen without weeding. RESULTS NSAID usage increased risk substantially. So did H pylori infection (but relative risk less than three). Neither seemed to interact. Their actions were discretely intact. CONCLUSION H pylori effects ulcer bleeding in an adverse manner but does not make the risk of NSAIDs worse.