Peptic ulcer disease in India--a 16 year trend analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The incidence of peptic ulcer disease has steadily declined throughout the world. The influence of seasonal changes on the incidence of peptic ulcer disease is not well established. The aim of the study was to identify the changing trends in the occurrence of peptic ulcer disease from a tertiary referral center in south India and to study the seasonal Correspondence: variation in the occurrence of peptic ulcer.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of the endoscopic records between the years 1989 to 2004.

RESULTS

There was a significant decrease in the endoscopic diagnosis of duodenal and gastric ulcers (DU and GU) over the years. Both duodenal and gastric ulcers were more common in men than women. Over the years, there was a steady increase in the proportion of women affected with both DU and GU. A steady increase in the meanage of endoscopic diagnosis of GU and DU was seen over the years. The adjusted seasonal index revealed an increase in the endoscopic diagnosis of GU and DU in the months October-March.

CONCLUSION

The endoscopic diagnosis of DU and GU has shown a decreasing trend over the past 16 years. The adjusted seasonal index has shown an increasing trend between the months of October-March.