Ulcer epidemiology: an overview and proposed research framework.

A proposed framework for integrated research in ulcer epidemiology is presented. This framework entails the integration of ulcer epidemiology information from national data sets and regional or specialized data sources to produce an organized sequence of studies. National data sets are used to determine the descriptive characteristics of ulcer epidemiology in terms of person, place, and time. Once subpopulations with high or low rates of ulcer disease are identified, hypotheses are generated to explain subpopulation differences. These etiologic hypotheses are then tested in regional or specialized study populations such as the Adventist Health Study, the Rand Health Insurance Study, or the American Rheumatism Association Medical Information System.