Overview
Peptic ulcer disease is the presence of ulceration in the stomach and proximal duodenum commonly and in the lower esophagus, distal duodenum or jejunum infrequently. It is characterized by mucosal damage secondary to pepsin and gastric acid secretion.
It is the principal cause of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage.
Appropriate therapy depends on the cause of peptic ulcer disease.
Treatment of both gastric and duodenal ulcers involves suppression of acid secretion and eradication of H pylori (if present). Antisecretory therapy speeds up the healing process and allows faster relief of symptoms. The eradication of H pylori in high-risk patients has been shown to greatly lower the risk of subsequent ulceration and prevent recurrent bleeding in patients with bleeding peptic ulcer. It is important to suppress nocturnal acid secretion in patients with duodenal ulcers.
Maintenance antisecretory therapy may be recommended in patients at high risk for ulceration (ie history of ulcer complications, have frequent recurrences) and for H pylori infection unresponsive to repeat treatment.
For further information regarding the management of Peptic Ulcer Disease, please refer to Disease Algorithm for the Treatment Guideline.
It is the principal cause of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage.
Appropriate therapy depends on the cause of peptic ulcer disease.
Treatment of both gastric and duodenal ulcers involves suppression of acid secretion and eradication of H pylori (if present). Antisecretory therapy speeds up the healing process and allows faster relief of symptoms. The eradication of H pylori in high-risk patients has been shown to greatly lower the risk of subsequent ulceration and prevent recurrent bleeding in patients with bleeding peptic ulcer. It is important to suppress nocturnal acid secretion in patients with duodenal ulcers.
Maintenance antisecretory therapy may be recommended in patients at high risk for ulceration (ie history of ulcer complications, have frequent recurrences) and for H pylori infection unresponsive to repeat treatment.
For further information regarding the management of Peptic Ulcer Disease, please refer to Disease Algorithm for the Treatment Guideline.
