Altered epidemiological characteristics of ulcer disease.

Dynamics and distribution of ulcer disease in population in the period 1987-1996 were analyzed on the basis of morbidity and mortality rate registered at clinics and institutes in Novi Sad. During the analyzed period 4.111 cases of ulcer disease were hospitalized and 47 with lethal outcome. Duodenal ulcer (2,739) is twice as frequent as gastric ulcer (1,372). Both localisations of ulcer disease are more frequent in males, and specific morbidity shows constant rise towards the older age groups. Duodenal ulcer shows sudden increase in the age group of over 20, and gastric ulcer in the age group of over 60. Gastric ulcer mortality (1.6%) is higher in comparison to duodenal ulcer mortality (0.9%) and it increases constantly towards the older age groups. Unfavourable result is statistically significantly higher in persons over 60. During the monitored period the increasing trend in duodenal ulcer is sharp, while figures in gastric ulcer are without significant changes. Both localisations have become a frequent health problem in population over 40 years of age.