title: Prevalence and risk factors of asymptomatic peptic ulcer disease in Taiwan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of asymptomatic peptic ulcer disease (PUD) in a general Taiwanese population.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January to August 2008, consecutive asymptomatic subjects undergoing a routine health check-up were evaluated by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Gastroduodenal mucosal breaks were carefully assessed, and a complete medical history and demographic data were obtained from each patient. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify independent risk factors for asymptomatic PUD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 572 asymptomatic subjects, 54 (9.4%) were diagnosed as having PUD. The prevalence of gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer and both gastric and duodenal ulcers were 4.7%, 3.9%, and 0.9%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that prior history of PUD [odds ratio (OR), 2.0, 95% CI: 1.3-2.9], high body mass index [body mass index (BMI) 25-30: OR, 1.5, 95% CI: 1.0-2.2; BMI > 30 kg/m(2): OR, 3.6, 95% CI: 1.5-8.7] and current smoker (OR, 2.6, 95% CI: 1.6-4.4) were independent predictors of asymptomatic PUD. In contrast, high education level was a negative predictor of PUD (years of education 10-12: OR, 0.5, 95% CI: 0.3-0.8; years of education > 12: OR, 0.6, 95% CI: 0.3-0.9).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of PUD in asymptomatic subjects is 9.4% in Taiwan. Prior history of PUD, low education level, a high BMI and current smoker are independent risk factors for developing asymptomatic PUD.
authors: Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung City 80424, Taiwan, China.
authors: Fu-Wei
authors: FW
authors: Wang
authors: Ming-Shium
authors: MS
authors: Tu
authors: Guang-Yuan
authors: GY
authors: Mar
authors: Hung-Yi
authors: HY
authors: Chuang
authors: Hsien-Chung
authors: HC
authors: Yu
authors: Lung-Chih
authors: LC
authors: Cheng
authors: Ping-I
authors: PI
authors: Hsu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004522:Educational Status; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012923:Social Class; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult