Perforated peptic ulcer--time trends and patterns over 20 years.

There are contradictory reports in current world literature regarding incidence of perforated peptic ulcers and male to female ratio in recent years. Old concepts of seasonal periodicity are being questioned. In our report we analyze what is changing with regard to demographical data of patients affected, incidence of perforation of peptic ulcer and ulcer location. This article reviews 441 consecutive cases of this complication of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) treated in our department between January of 1977 and December of 1996. The source of analyzed data are operative reports. Several observations regarding number, age and sex of patients affected and ulcer location have been made.