Systematic review: the global incidence and prevalence of peptic ulcer disease.
BACKGROUND
Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is most commonly associated with Helicobacter pylori infection and the use of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The management of H. pylori infection has improved radically in recent years; however, the prescription of ASA and NSAIDs has increased over the same period.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the current global incidence and prevalence of PUD by systematic review of the literature published over the last decade.


METHODS
Systematic searches of PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane library.


RESULTS
The annual incidence rates of PUD were 0.10-0.19% for physician-diagnosed PUD and 0.03-0.17% when based on hospitalization data. The 1-year prevalence based on physician diagnosis was 0.12-1.50% and that based on hospitalization data was 0.10-0.19%. The majority of studies reported a decrease in the incidence or prevalence of PUD over time.


CONCLUSIONS
Peptic ulcer disease remains a common condition, although reported incidence and prevalence are decreasing. This decrease may be due to a decrease in H. pylori-associated PUD.
Sung
J J Y
JJ
Institute of Digestive Disease, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, Hong Kong, China. joesung@cuhk.edu.hk
Kuipers
E J
EJ
El-Serag
H B
HB
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D015995:Prevalence
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D001241:Aspirin