Time trends in the incidence of peptic ulcers and oesophagitis between 1994 and 2003.
This study examined time trends in the incidence of peptic ulcers and oesophagitis, and the prescription of acid-inhibiting drugs in the period 1994-2003. Data were retrieved from records in general practices in Flanders, Belgium. The incidence of duodenal ulcers decreased by two-thirds and the incidence of gastric ulcers halved, the incidence of oesophagitis initially increased and decreased slowly later on. In 10 years the proportion of patients taking proton-pump inhibitors rose sixfold while the proportion taking H(2) antagonists remained stable.
Bartholomeeusen
Stefaan
S
Department of General Practice, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium. bartholomeeusen.stefaan@med.kuleuven.be
Vandenbroucke
Jan
J
Truyers
Carla
C
Truyers
Carl
C
Buntinx
Frank
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D004941:Esophagitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008875:Middle Aged; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D013997:Time Factors
D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors