Petersen H, Kristensen P, Johannessen T, Kleveland PM, Dybdahl JH, Myrvold H. The natural course of peptic ulcer disease and its predictors.
Scand J Gastroenterol 1995;
30:17-24. [PMID:
7701245 DOI:
10.3109/00365529509093230]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Little is known about today's natural course of peptic ulcer disease (PUD).
METHODS
A follow-up study based on a structured telephone interview was attempted in 728 patients with an endoscopic diagnosis of peptic ulcer in 1980-84.
RESULTS
Seven patients (1%) died because of PUD during the 8- to 10-year follow-up period. Of the 441 interviewed patients 15.2% had experienced no further clinical manifestations of PUD, 10.9% had had bleeding and 0.7% perforation, and 17.5% had been operated on. The operated patients reported fewer symptoms (p < 0.01) during the last 2 weeks before the interview than those not operated on. On an average the unoperated patients had had symptoms and had used histamine-2-receptor antagonists (H2RA) 12 and 10 weeks per year, respectively. Long-term treatment with H2RA was reported by 18%. More than one-third (36%) of the unoperated patients stated that the symptoms had had a significant negative impact on their lives. Age at onset of disease and index ulcer, family history, use of anti-inflammatory drugs and alcohol, bleeding, and another chronic disease were found to be significant predictors of the course.
CONCLUSION
In more than one-third of the patients with PUD the course is still burdened with many symptoms and complications.
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