Stressful life situations and perception of stress in black and Indian duodenal ulcer patients.

The stressful life situations of 87 patients with endoscopically confirmed recent duodenal ulceration (DU) were compared with those of 75 essentially orthopaedic non-DU controls. Results indicated a statistically significant difference in the reporting of low income and dissatisfaction, including tensions related to considerable responsibility in the work situation but no authority, by both Indian and black DU patients. Indian DU patients reported significantly more family conflict and problems than controls, while black DU patients reported living in single hostels or in split families to a significantly greater degree than controls. Overall, DU patients experienced significantly greater stress in more areas of their lives than controls.