Peptic ulcer in Rwanda, Africa: influence of geography and dietary habits.
There are areas of Africa with an extremely high incidence of peptic ulcer disease, while most of Africa has a low incidence of ulcer disease. The reason for this variation is unknown. Thirty-three patients with peptic ulcer disease in Rwanda, Africa, were studied in an attempt to determine why they had ulcer disease. High basal acid studies (mean of 10.3 mq per hour) were found in the patients with duodenal peptic ulcers. The males predominated over the females and the Batutsi predominated over the Bahutu in having much more peptic ulcer disease. The male population and patients with ulcers had the custom of eating only one large meal per day. There is a definite correlation between the incidence of peptic ulcers among certain tribes and going for long periods without eating.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa; D000368:Aged; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology