Gastric and duodenal peptic ulcer disease in a well-defined population. A prospective necropsy study in Malmö, Sweden.

In a necropsy series from Malmö of 2,218 subjects above 20 years of age, and composing 88.2% of all Malmö residents above 20 who died during the period of investigation, the frequency of gastric and duodenal peptic ulcer disease (ulcer, scar or surgically treated peptic ulcer) was studied. The total frequency of peptic ulcer disease was 17.9% (20.9% in men and 14.7% in women). The condition was most common (25.4%) in men in the 50-59 year age group, after which the frequency declined. In women a constant high frequency (15-16%) was seen in all age groups above 60 years. Gastric ulcer (ulcer or scar) was found in 10.7% and duodenal ulcer in 5.5%. 16.1% of subjects with peptic ulcer disease had been subjected to surgical treatment, 22.8% of the men and 5.8% of the women.