Epidemiology of peptic ulcer disease in Thailand

Peptic ulcers are common in all regions in Thailand. The true prevalence and incidence of peptic ulcer among the population can never be accurately assessed. National data compiled from official annual reports from provincial hospitals as well as hospital-based data are at best selective and carry several drawbacks in the process of data collection, some generalizations can be made nevertheless. Between 1981 and 1988, the hospitalization rate for peptic ulcer cases throughout the country remained fairly constant at around 111 to 112 per 100,000 population. At a large hospital in Bangkok, the proportions of gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers cases between 1983 and 1988 were comparable, with more gastric ulcers among females than the males. Mortality among hospitalized peptic ulcer cases declined from 3.4 in 1977 to approximately 2 cases per 100,000 population in 1981 and fell further slightly thereafter. Much more statistical compilation is needed, while clearer diagnostic criteria should be followed in documenting reporting peptic ulcer cases in hospitals in order to arrive at more meaningful interpretations.