Peptic ulcer in rheumatoid arthritis.
In a study of patients attending a rheumatology clinic 230 unselected patients, 185 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 45 with other rheumatic disorders (non-RA), were examined by endoscopy and a detailed history of symptoms referable to the gastrointestinal tract was taken. A peptic ulcer was found in 67 (36%) of the patients and in 13 (29%) of the non-RA group. Gastric ulceration was more common in the group with RA (32 patients (17%) compared with three patients (7%) in the non-RA group); 17/32 (53%) patients with RA and gastric ulcer were asymptomatic. In the group with RA, of those with gastric ulcer 20/32 (63%) were smokers, compared with only 40/118 (34%) of the non-ulcer group. There was no difference in the duration of rheumatic disease or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) treatment between the ulcer and non-ulcer groups. Treatment with H2 receptor antagonist and maintenance of NSAID treatment resulted in healing in 26 out of 29 (90%) patients with gastric ulcer and 23 out of 27 (85%) patients with duodenal ulcer.
Farah
D
D
Department of Gastroenterology, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow.
Sturrock
R D
RD
Russell
R I
RI
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D004381:Duodenal Ulcer / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000209:etiology*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000209:etiology
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal