[Localization of chronic benign gastric ulcers. Its relation to the age of the subjects, size of the lesion and smoking and drinking habits of the patients].

Age of patients, ulcer size, alcohol intake and cigarette consumption were studied in relation to the site of the ulcer in 172 patients with chronic gastric ulcer. Ulcer site was classified into upper, middle and lower thirds of the stomach. The ulcers were situated in the upper third in 18 subjects (10.5%), middle third in 105 patients (61%) and lower third in 40 patients (28.5%). The mean age of the patients in the whole series was 50.7 +/- 12.2 with no significant difference in age between upper, middle and lower thirds (P greater than 0.5) There was no significant difference in the distribution of giant ulcers compared to those of usual size (0.25 less than P less than 0.5). The number of posterior wall ulcers was significantly higher than those of anterior wall (0.025 less than P less than 0.05) The number of ulcers situated in the middle third was significantly higher in heavy smokers and heavy drinkers compared to non-smokers and non-drinkers (0.01 less than P less than 0.025) and to light smokers and light drinkers (P less than 0.001) The number of ulcers situated in the middle third was significantly higher in the heavy drinkers compared to non-drinkers (0.001 less than P less than 0.005).