Overview
Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is characterized by mucosal
damage secondary to pepsin and gastric acid secretion, as stated in the Introduction section.
The incidence of uncomplicated PUD is approximately 1 case
per 1,000 person-years, while the incidence of ulcer complications is
approximately 0.7 cases per 1,000 person-years. A detailed discussion about the
prevalence of peptic ulcer disease is in the Epidemiology
section.
The Pathophysiology section states that ulceration in peptic
ulcer disease occurs when a disruption in the integrity and normal processes of
the gastric mucosa leads to an imbalance between the stomach's acid production
and its protective barrier. The development process in patients with peptic
ulcer disease is discussed in this section.
Risk factors such as age, NSAID use, and H pylori
infection are explained in the Risk Factors section.
Peptic Ulcer Disease_Disease SummaryHistory and Physical Examination
The Clinical Features
section describes the various alarm features observed in complicated peptic
ulcer disease such as hematemesis, melena, hematochezia, anemia or orthostatic
hypotension. Other features indicative of a more complicated course are also
discussed in this section.
The History section
describes the different features of patients with peptic ulcer disease. The
Physical Examination section explains the signs seen in patients
with PUD and its complications.
Diagnosis
Discussion on the laboratory
tests recommended in the evaluation of peptic ulcer disease is in the Laboratory
Tests and Ancillaries section. Approaches such as esophagogastroduodenoscopy
(EGD), radiologic upper gastrointestinal series, and abdominal computed
tomography (CT) scan as options for the diagnosis of peptic ulcer disease and
its complications are discussed in the Imaging section.
Other diseases that can present with the same symptoms as peptic
ulcer disease are listed in the Differential
Diagnosis section.
Management
General therapy principles and management of peptic ulcer
disease are in the Principles of Therapy
section.
The Pharmacological
Therapy section discusses in
detail the symptomatic therapy and medication options in the treatment of
peptic ulcer disease.
The Nonpharmacological
section includes things to educate the patient about the things that may
precipitate or aggravate the symptoms and worsen the disease course in patients
with peptic ulcer disease.
Indications for surgical intervention in patients with
peptic ulcer disease are in the Surgery section.
The Monitoring
section identifies the different complications that may be seen in patients
with poorly treated peptic ulcer disease.
