Incidence of peptic ulcer disease in Gothenburg, 1985.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence and age distribution of peptic ulcer disease in adults in Gothenburg.


METHODS
Retrospective study of patients with symptoms over one year.


METHODS
All gastroenterology and x ray departments.


METHODS
Any patient found to have an active ulcer crater during 1985.


METHODS
Sex, age, past history of gastrointestinal ulcers, and smoking habit.


RESULTS
In 1985, 1402 peptic ulcers were diagnosed in 1137 adults. Over half (403; 54%) of the ulcers in men and 393 (60%) ulcers in women were in patients aged over 60. All types of ulcer showed increasing incidence with age. The sex ratio of patients aged 40-50 with peptic ulcers was 1:1. Nearly half (109; 48%) of ulcers diagnosed for the first time in men and 129 (57%) of such ulcers in women were in patients aged over 60. Elderly men and women were also more likely to develop haemorrhage.


CONCLUSIONS
In Gothenburg there is a surprisingly high incidence of peptic ulcer disease, which increases considerably with age, possibly explained by the availability of modern diagnostic techniques as 1121 (80%) ulcers had been diagnosed by gastroscopy. Compared with earlier studies there was no difference in the incidence between men and women aged 40-50.
Schöön
I M
IM
Department of Surgery, Ostra Sjukhuset, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Mellström
D
D
Odén
A
A
Ytterberg
B O
BO
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology