title: Perforation of the peptic ulceration in the elderly.
abstract: A retrospective survey of elderly patients admitted with perforation of a duodenal ulcer showed that some presented with typical symptoms and signs of a perforation, while others presented as a gastro-intestinal bleed or with confusion or malaise. Diagnosis tended to be delayed in the latter group and mortality was higher. Earlier diagnosis may be helped by taking a chest radiograph or lateral decubitus films of the abdomen with a repeat film in a few hours if the diagnosis is still being considered.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004381:Duodenal Ulcer / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010439:Peptic Ulcer Perforation / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies