Clinical Presentation
Alarm Features
Alarm features may be observed in
complicated peptic ulcer disease. Hematemesis, melena, hematochezia, anemia or
orthostatic hypotension may be secondary to GI bleeding. A patient with a
Glasgow-Blatchford score of ≤1 has a very low risk of rebleeding or mortality
and may not need hospital admission or inpatient endoscopy. Progressive
dysphagia, recurrent vomiting, abdominal pain, weight loss, and early satiety
may be due to gastric outlet obstruction. Anorexia or weight loss may suggest
cancer. Persistent upper abdominal pain radiating to the back may be due to
penetration of an ulcer into adjacent structures. Sudden onset of abdominal
pain, fever, spreading upper abdominal pain that is severe, and signs of an
acute abdomen may suggest perforation.
History
Most patients with peptic ulcer disease are asymptomatic, particularly older individuals (≥60 years old). Epigastric pain is the most common symptom of PUD among symptomatic patients. The pain of a duodenal ulcer usually occurs 2-5 hours after a meal, improves with food or antacids, and sometimes awakens the patient at night. The pain of gastric ulcer occurs shortly after meals and is commonly worsened by food intake. Other symptoms include indigestion, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, inability to tolerate fatty foods, heartburn, early satiety, bloating, belching, abdominal fullness, weight loss, retrosternal chest discomfort, nocturnal pain, and postprandial distress. Nausea and vomiting are commonly experienced by patients with prepyloric or pyloric channel ulcers.
Physical Examination
The
physical examination is typically indistinct, especially in patients with
uncomplicated PUD. Most patients may only have mild epigastric tenderness. Acute
abdomen (presence of abdominal rigidity, rebound tenderness or guarding) may be
present in patients with perforation. Peptic ulcer perforation presents with a
triad of tachycardia, acute abdominal pain and abdominal rigidity. Succussion
splash may be elicited in patients with gastric outlet obstruction. Pallor may
be observed in patients with hemorrhage.
Peptic Ulcer Disease_Intial Assessment