title: Risk Factors for the Presence of Symptoms in Peptic Ulcer Disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a common condition, but is difficult to detect in asymptomatic individuals. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of symptomatic and asymptomatic PUD during screening endoscopy and to identify risk factors for the presence of symptoms in patients with PUD.
  
  
  METHODS
  We investigated subjects who underwent a health inspection, including endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract and a serum anti-Helicobacter pyloriIgG assay, and who completed a self-report questionnaire about their symptoms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 12,852 subjects included in the study, 124 (1.0%) had symptomatic PUD and 309 (2.4%) had asymptomatic PUD. Old age, current smoking, andH. pyloriinfection were independent risk factors for symptomatic and asymptomatic PUD. Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) was an independent risk factor only for symptomatic PUD (p=0.040). Compared to subjects with asymptomatic PUD, subjects with symptomatic PUD were more likely to have active-stage ulcers (p=0.002) and to drink more heavily (p=0.005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of NSAIDs is a risk factor for symptomatic PUD, but not for asymptomatic PUD. Excessive alcohol consumption and active-stage ulcers in patients with PUD are related to the presence of gastroduodenal symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Pyo
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: In-Kyung
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong Hwan
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sun-Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyung Seok
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Chan Sup
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Shim
keywords: Anti-inflammatory agents, non-steroidal; Heavy drinking; Helicobacter pylori; Peptic ulcer