Time-trends in the epidemiology of peptic ulcer bleeding

Objective. Despite the introduction of effective medical treatment of peptic ulcer disease, bleeding is still a frequent complication. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the incidence and the risk profile of peptic ulcer haemorrhage have changed within a 10-year period. Material and methods. In a prospective epidemiological and observational study the incidence and risk profile of peptic ulcer haemorrhage in Dusseldorf, Germany were compared between two time periods (period A: 1.3.89–28.2.90 and period B: 1.4.99–31.3.2000), involving nine hospitals with both surgical and medical departments. Patients with proven peptic ulcer haemorrhage at endoscopy or operation were included in the study; those with bleeding under defined severe stress conditions were excluded. Results. No differences in bleeding ulcer incidence were observed between periods A and B (51.4 per 100,000 person-years versus 48.7), or for duodenal ulcer (24.9 versus 25.7) or for gastric ulcer bleeding (26.5 versus 23.0). A marke...