Duodenal ulcer disease in the elderly: a retrospective study.

A retrospective study was performed of 163 patients aged 65 years and over with a diagnosis of duodenal ulceration admitted to one Health District over a period of six years. Eighty per cent of the patients were admitted with acute complications, 50% bled and 30% were perforated. A large proportion of these patients were currently taking anti-inflammatory agents. Patients managed surgically for their complications had a high mortality rate but this was even higher for those managed conservatively. Giant ulcers were found to occur frequently in this age group which had a tendency to severe bleeding. It is concluded that early diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention is essential in the management of complications associated with duodenal ulceration in the elderly.