Incidence and characteristics of death from peptic ulcer among cancer patients in the United States.

Most cancer patients die of non-cancer causes, and peptic ulcer is one cause that deserves attention. To characterize the incidence and risk factors of death from peptic ulcer among cancer patients, we extracted the data of cancer patients registered in the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program from 1975 to 2016. Out of the 8,471,051 patients extracted from SEER, 4,698 died from peptic ulcer, with a mortality rate of 9.08/100,000 person-years. Meanwhile, the mortality rate in the general population was 5.09/100,000 person-years, giving a standardized mortality ratio (SMR) of 1.78 (95% confidence interval, 1.73-1.84). Patients who are female, of other race, unmarried, and with distant tumor stage have greater SMRs. A higher SMR was associated with a younger age at diagnosis. Among those aged < 40 years at diagnosis, the plurality of fatal peptic ulcers occurred in patients with leukemia and lymphoma, while in patients aged > 40 years, the majority occurred in those with prostate, breast, colorectum, and lung cancer. Patients with upper digestive system malignancies had the highest SMRs and hazard ratios (HRs), which could be ascribed to radiotherapy-induced damage to the gastroduodenum. The risk declined rapidly one year after diagnosis. However, the SMRs in the upper digestive system cancer survivors increased significantly over ten years after diagnosis. Upper digestive system cancers adjacent to the gastroduodenum were associated with higher SMRs and HRs compared with other types of cancer, possibly contributing partially to the damage caused by radiotherapy on the radiosensitive gastroduodenum.

Do surgical emergencies stay at home? Observations from the first United States Coronavirus epicenter.

BACKGROUND: During the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, New York instituted a statewide stay-at-home mandate to lower viral transmission. While public health guidelines advised continued provision of timely care for patients, disruption of safety-net health care and public fear have been proposed to be related to indirect deaths because of delays in presentation. We hypothesized that admissions for emergency general surgery (EGS) diagnoses would decrease during the pandemic and that mortality for these patients would increase. METHODS: A multicenter observational study comparing EGS admissions from January to May 2020 to 2018 and 2019 across 11 NYC hospitals in the largest public health care system in the United States was performed. Emergency general surgery diagnoses were defined using International Classification Diseases, Tenth Revision, codes and grouped into seven common diagnosis categories: appendicitis, cholecystitis, small/large bowel, peptic ulcer disease, groin hernia, ventral hernia, and necrotizing soft tissue infection. Baseline demographics were compared including age, race/ethnicity, and payor status. Outcomes included coronavirus disease (COVID) status and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 1,376 patients were admitted for EGS diagnoses from January to May 2020, a decrease compared with both 2018 (1,789) and 2019 (1,668) (p < 0.0001). This drop was most notable after the stay-at-home mandate (March 22, 2020; week 12). From March to May 2020, 3.3%, 19.2%, and 6.0% of EGS admissions were incidentally COVID positive, respectively. Mortality increased in March to May 2020 compared with 2019 (2.2% vs. 0.7%); this difference was statistically significant between April 2020 and April 2019 (4.1% vs. 0.9%, p = 0.045). CONCLUSION: Supporting our hypothesis, the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and subsequent stay-at-home mandate resulted in decreased EGS admissions between March and May 2020 compared with prior years. During this time, there was also a statistically significant increase in mortality, which peaked at the height of COVID infection rates in our population. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Epidemiological, level IV.

Trends in the Surgical Management and Outcomes of Complicated Peptic Ulcer Disease.

BACKGROUND: Older data indicate that less patients undergo surgery for complicated peptic ulcer disease (PUD). We evaluated contemporary trends in the surgical management and outcomes of patients with complicated PUD. METHODS: The National Inpatient Sample (2005-2014) was queried for patients with complicated PUD (hemorrhage, perforation, or obstruction). Trend analyses were used to evaluate changes in management and outcomes. RESULTS: There were 1 570 696 admissions for complicated PUD during the study period. Majority (87.0%) presented with hemorrhage, 10.6% presented with perforation, and 2.4% had an obstruction. The average age was 67 years. Overall, admissions with complicated PUD decreased from 180 054 in 2005 to 150 335 in 2014. The proportion of patients managed operatively decreased from 2.5% to 1.9% in the hemorrhage group, 75.0% to 67.4% in the perforation group, and 26.0% to 20.2% in the obstruction group (all P-trend < .05). Overall, among patients managed operatively, the use of acid-reducing procedures decreased from 25.9% to 13.9%, mortality decreased from 11.9% to 9.4% (both P-trend < .001), while complications remained stable (10.4% to 10.3%, P-trend = .830). CONCLUSIONS: There are fewer admissions with complicated PUD and more patients are treated nonoperatively. Despite subtle improvements, significant proportions of patients still die from complicated PUD indicating the need for improved preoperative optimization and postoperative care among these patients.

Hospitalizations for peptic ulcer disease in China: Current features and outcomes.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Rates and outcomes of hospitalizations for peptic ulcer disease (PUD) are unknown in mainland China. We aimed to describe characteristics and treatments of PUD inpatients in secondary and tertiary care hospitals registered in the national Health Statistics and Information Reporting System in 2015 and to explore factors related to inpatient outcomes. METHODS: We retrieved and validated PUD hospitalization data from 4441 hospitals reporting to Health Statistics and Information Reporting System in 2015. Sensitivity analyses were performed to examine the robustness of findings considering different reporting rates across provinces. Current analyses focused on ulcer sites, complications, therapies, and rates of in-hospital death or unauthorized discharge. RESULTS: Total admissions for PUD were 443 433 (mean age 55.14 years), constituting 0.59% of all-cause hospitalizations of 2015 in 4441 hospitals. Duodenal ulcers were more common than gastric ulcers (44.69% vs 37.42%). About 61% of inpatients had complications (46.45% for bleeding and 14.66% for perforation). Over 96% of uncomplicated or bleeding inpatients were managed medically. Surgery was provided to 64.22% of perforated cases. Endoscopic hemostasis and transcatheter embolization were performed for 1.59% of the bleeding and 0.59% of the perforation cases. For all PUD cases, the average in-hospital mortality was 0.35%. Six percent of inpatients left hospitals without authorization. Multinomial logistic regressions showed that inpatient death and unauthorized discharge were associated with older age, gastric ulcer, bleeding, perforation, and comorbidity after controlling for gender, insurance status, hospital type, area, and region. CONCLUSIONS: Currently, pharmacologic management is dominant, and endoscopic hemostasis is notably underutilized for PUD hospitalizations in mainland China.

Survival of patients with cirrhosis and acute peptic ulcer bleeding compared with variceal bleeding using current first-line therapies.

The presence of cirrhosis increases the mortality of patients with peptic ulcer bleeding (PUB). Both acute variceal bleeding (AVB) and PUB are associated with substantial mortality in cirrhosis. This multicenter cohort study was performed to assess whether the mortality of patients with cirrhosis with PUB is different from that of those with AVB. Patients with cirrhosis and acute gastrointestinal bleeding were consecutively included and treated with somatostatin and proton pump inhibitor infusion from admission and with antibiotic prophylaxis. Emergency endoscopy with endoscopic therapy was performed within the first 6 hours. 646 patients with AVB and 144 with PUB were included. There were baseline differences between groups, such as use of gastroerosive drugs or ß-blockers. Child-Pugh and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease MELD scores were similar. Further bleeding was more frequent in the AVB group than those in the PUB group (18% vs. 10%; odds ratio [OR] = 0.50; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.29-0.88). However, mortality risk at 45 days was similar in both groups (19% in the AVB group vs. 17% in the PUB group; OR = 0.85; 95% CI = 0.55-1.33; P = 0.48). Different parameters, such as Child-Pugh score, acute kidney injury, acute on chronic liver failure, or presence of shock or bacterial infection, but not the cause of bleeding, were related to the risk of death. Only 2% of the PUB group versus 3% of the AVB group died with uncontrolled bleeding (P = 0.39), whereas the majority of patients in either group died from liver failure or attributed to other comorbidities. CONCLUSION: Using current first-line therapy, patients with cirrhosis and acute peptic ulcer bleeding have a similar survival than those with variceal bleeding. The risk of further bleeding is higher in patients with variceal hemorrhage. However, few patients in both groups died from uncontrolled bleeding, rather the cause of death was usually related to liver failure or comorbidities. (Hepatology 2018;67:1458-1471).

Increased short- and long-term mortality in 8146 hospitalised peptic ulcer patients.

BACKGROUND: Incidence and complications of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) have declined, but mortality from peptic ulcer bleeding has remained unchanged. The few recent studies on mortality associated with both uncomplicated and complicated patients with peptic ulcer disease provide contradictory results. AIMS: To evaluate short- and long-term mortality, and the main causes of death in peptic ulcer disease. METHODS: In this retrospective epidemiologic cohort study, register data on 8146 adult patients hospitalised with peptic ulcer disease during 2000-2008 were collected in the capital region of Finland. All were followed in the National Cause of Death Register until the end of 2009. The data were linked with the nationwide Drug Purchase Register of the Finnish Social Insurance Institution. RESULTS: Mean follow-up time was 4.9 years. Overall mortality was substantially increased, standardised mortality ratio 2.53 (95% CI: 2.44-2.63); 3.7% died within 30 days, and 11.8% within 1 year. At 6 months, the survival of patients with perforated or bleeding ulcer was lower compared to those with uncomplicated ulcer; hazard ratios were 2.06 (1.68-2.04) and 1.32 (1.11-1.58), respectively. For perforated duodenal ulcers, both the short- and long-term survival was significantly impaired in women. The main causes of mortality at 1 year were malignancies and cardiovascular diseases. Previous use of statins was associated with significant reduction in all-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS: One-year mortality in patients hospitalised with peptic ulcer disease remained high with no change. This peptic ulcer disease cohort had a clearly decreased survival rate up to 10 years, especially among women with a perforated duodenal ulcer, most likely explained by poorer survival due to underlying comorbidity.

TACTICS OF TREATMENT OF PERFORATIVE GASTRODUODENAL ULCER.

The covered perforation of gastroduodenal ulcer constitutes certain difficulties in diag' nosis, causing distortion of clinical symptoms. The diagnosis is usually established with delay. In the clinic during 7 years in 24 patients the covered perforative aperture of gas' troduodenal ulcer was revealed, constituting 6.8% оf total number of perforative ulcers. Pneumoperitoneum was not established. After pneumogastroscopy in 3 patients with a free gas revealed, they were operated on. After analyzing of dynamics in rest of patients their state degradation and the peritoneal symptoms occurrence was noted, what have had demanded performance of operative intervention. Lethality was 4.1%.

Estimativa da prevalência e da mortalidade por complicações da úlcera péptica, Brasil, 2008: uma proposta metodológica* / Estimating prevalence and mortality due to peptic ulcer complications, Brazil, 2008: a methodological proposal

Estimar a mortalidade e a prevalência da úlcera péptica no Brasil e suas macrorregiões, segundo sexo e faixa etária, em 2008. Métodos: a prevalência foi estimada pelo Sistema de Informações Hospitalares, considerando-se os casos internados como casos de úlcera complicada e ajustes conforme a cobertura do Sistema Único de Saúde; a mortalidade foi calculada com dados do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade, segundo metodologia dos estudos de carga de doença. Resultados: no Brasil, a prevalência de úlcera em homens e mulheres foi de 0,2 por cento e 0,1 por cento, respectivamente; a taxa de mortalidade nacional, de 3,0/100 mil habitantes (3,6/100 mil em homens; 2,3/100 mil em mulheres); as prevalências e taxas de mortalidade aumentaram com a idade, independentemente do sexo, com maiores valores entre homens. Conclusão: evidencia-se a relevância da úlcera péptica no cenário brasileiro e a necessidade de pesquisas para estimativas mais precisas de sua ocorrência no país...

To estimate peptic ulcer prevalence and mortality in Brazil and its regions, by gender and age group in 2008. Methods: prevalence was estimated based on Hospital Information System data adjusted according to Unified Health System (SUS) service coverage. Ulcer complications were taken to be hospitalized cases. Mortality was calculated using Mortality Information System data, according to the methodology proposed by global burden of disease studies. Results: overall peptic ulcer prevalence in Brazil was 0.2 per cent in males and 0.1 per cent in females; mortality rate was 3.0/100,000 inhabitants (3.6/100,000 males and 2.3/100,000 females); prevalence and mortality increased with advancing age in both sexes, with highest values found in males. Conclusion: this study highlights the importance of peptic ulcers on the Brazilian health scenario and the need for further research for more precise estimates of the occurrence of this disease in our country...

Predicting mortality in patients with in-hospital nonvariceal upper GI bleeding: a prospective, multicenter database study.

BACKGROUND: Nonvariceal upper GI bleeding (NVUGIB) that occurs in patients already hospitalized for another condition is associated with increased mortality, but outcome predictors have not been consistently identified. OBJECTIVE: To assess clinical outcomes of NVUGIB and identify predictors of mortality from NVUGIB in patients with in-hospital bleeding compared with outpatients. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of prospectively collected data from 2 nationwide multicenter databases. Descriptive, inferential, and multivariate logistic regression models were carried out in 338 inpatients (68.6 ± 16.4 years of age, 68% male patients) and 1979 outpatients (67.8 ± 17 years of age, 66% male patients). A predictive model was constructed using the risk factors identified at multivariate analysis, weighted according to the contribution of each factor. SETTINGS: A total of 23 Italian community and tertiary care centers. PATIENTS: Consecutive patients admitted for acute NVUGIB. INTERVENTIONS: Early endoscopy, medical and endoscopic treatment as appropriate. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Recurrent bleeding, surgery, and 30-day mortality. RESULTS: The mortality rate in patients with in-hospital bleeding was significantly higher than that in outpatients (8.9% vs 3.8%; odds ratio [OR] 2.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.57-3.79; P < .0001). Hemodynamic instability on presentation (OR 7.31; 95% CI, 2.71-19.65) and the presence of severe comorbidity (OR 6.72; 95% CI, 1.87-24.0) were the strongest predictors of death for in-hospital bleeders. Other independent predictors of mortality were a history of peptic ulcer disease and failed endoscopic treatment. Rebleeding was a strong predictor of death only for outpatients (OR 5.22; 95% CI, 2.45-11.10). Risk factors had a different prognostic impact on the 2 populations, resulting in a significantly different prognostic accuracy of the model (area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve = 0.83; 95% CI, 0.77-0-93 vs 0.74; 95% CI, 0.68-0.80; P < .02). LIMITATIONS: Study design not experimental, no data on ward specialty, potential referral bias. CONCLUSIONS: In-hospital bleeders have a significantly higher risk of death because they are sicker and more often hemodynamically unstable than outpatients. Predictors of death have a different impact in the 2 populations.

Causes of bleeding and outcomes in patients hospitalized with upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

GOALS: To evaluate sources of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) at an urban US hospital and compare them to sources at the same center 20 years ago, and to assess clinical outcomes related to source of UGIB. BACKGROUND: Recent studies suggest changes in causes and outcomes of UGIB. STUDY: Consecutive patients with hematemesis, melena, and/or hematochezia undergoing upper endoscopy with an identified source at LA County+USC Medical Center from January 2005 to June 2011 were identified retrospectively. RESULTS: Mean age of the 1929 patients was 52 years; 75% were male. A total of 1073 (55%) presented with hematemesis, 809 (42%) with melena alone, and 47 (2%) with hematochezia alone. The most common causes were ulcers in 654 patients (34%), varices in 633 (33%), and erosive esophagitis in 156 (8%), compared with 43%, 33%, and 2% in 1991. During hospitalization, 207 (10.7%) patients required repeat endoscopy for UGIB (10.6% for both ulcers and varices) and 129 (6.7%) died (5.2% for ulcers; 9.2% for varices). On multivariate analysis, hematemesis (OR=1.38; 95% CI, 1.04-1.88) and having insurance (OR=1.44; 95% CI, 1.07-1.94) were associated with repeat endoscopy for UGIB. Varices (OR=1.53; 95% CI, 1.05-2.22) and having insurance (OR=4.53; 95% CI, 2.84-7.24) were associated with mortality. CONCLUSION: Peptic ulcers decreased modestly over 2 decades, whereas varices continue as a common cause of UGIB at an urban hospital serving lower socioeconomic patients. Inpatient mortality, but not rebleeding requiring endoscopy, was higher with variceal than nonvariceal UGIB, indicating patients with variceal UGIB remain at risk of death from decompensation of underlying illness even after successful control of bleeding.

Helicobacter pylori is not the predominant etiology for peptic ulcers requiring operation.

As the number of patients requiring operation for peptic ulcer disease (PUD) declines, presumed contemporary ulcer etiology has largely been derived from medically treated patients not subjected to surgery. The purpose of this study was to examine the specific causes of PUD in patients requiring surgery. Our Acute Care Surgical Service registry was reviewed for patients operated on for complications of PUD from 2004 to 2009. Emphasis was placed on individual etiologic factors for PUD. There were 128 patients (52% male, 81% white) who underwent emergency operation including: simple patch closure (n = 61, 48%); gastric resection (n = 22, 17%); gastric resection with vagotomy (n = 21, 16%); vagotomy and pyloroplasty (n = 18, 14%); or other procedures (n = 6, 5%). Complications necessitating operation were perforation (n = 79, 62%); bleeding (n = 29, 23%); obstruction (n = 12, 9%); and intractability (n = 8, 6%). Perioperative mortality was 12.5 per cent. Risk factors for PUD included tobacco use (50%), alcohol abuse (34%), and steroids (21%). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory use was confirmed in 68 (53%) patients. Of the 128 patients, 82 (64%) were tested for Helicobacter pylori, 33 (40%) of which were positive and 49 (60%) negative. Helicobacter pylori, thus, was the confirmed ulcer etiology in only 26 per cent of cases. Unlike contemporary series of medically treated PUD, Helicobacter pylori may not be the predominant etiologic factor in patients who experience complications requiring surgery. A "traditional" surgical approach with liberal use of vagotomy, not antibiotic triple therapy, may well be the preferred treatment consideration in such cases.

Comportamiento de la hemorragia digestiva alta en el Hospital Universitario Calixto García / Behavior of high digestive hemorrhage in the Calixto García Hospital

INTRODUCCIÓN. Muchos de los ingresos en los cuerpos de guardia se deben a hemorragias digestivas altas, pero con frecuencia no se encuentran datos sobre el comportamiento de éstas en el país. El objetivo de esta investigación fue describir los datos demográficos, etiologías y conductas adoptadas en pacientes con este diagnóstico, y de los fallecimientos ocurridos por esta causa. MÉTODOS. Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo que incluyó a los pacientes con diagnóstico de hemorragia digestiva alta, ingresados en el servicio de cirugía del Hospital Universitario Calixto García entre el 2006 y el 2007. RESULTADOS. Por esta causa fueron ingresados 551 pacientes, entre los que prevalecieron los hombres, ancianos, con enfermedades crónicas. Al 92 por ciento se le realizó panendoscopia oral. Las causas más frecuentes de hemorragia reciente fueron las gastroduodenitis agudizadas, y las de hemorragia activa en el momento de la endoscopia fueron las úlceras duodenales. Se indicó tratamiento médico en el 89 por ciento de los casos y quirúrgico en el 11 por ciento . Falleció el 6,8 por ciento de los pacientes y las causas principales fueron las úlceras gastroduodenales, las várices gastroesofágicas y las gastroduodenopatías erosivas. CONCLUSIONES. La hemorragia digestiva alta ocupa un lugar importante entre las causas de ingresos en el Hospital Universitario Calixto García, en La Habana(AU)

INTRODUCTION. Most of admissions in emergency rooms are due to high digestive hemorrhages, but frequently there are not available data on the behavior of this type of hemorrhage in our country. The objective of present research was to describe the demographic data, etiologies and behaviors followed in patients with this diagnosis and also of the deaths provoked by this cause. METHODS. A retrospective study was conducted including patients diagnosed with high digestive hemorrhage admitted in surgery service of the Calixto García University Hospital between 2006 and 2007. RESULTS. Due to this cause 551 patients were admitted prevailing old men with chronic diseases. The 92 percent undergoes oral panendoscopy. The more frequent causes of recent hemorrhage were the worsened gastroduodenitis and those of the active hemorrhage at moment of endoscopy were the duodenal ulcers. Medical treatment was prescribed in the 89 percent of cases and the surgical one in the 11 percent The 6,8 percent of patients deceased and the leading causes were the gastroduodenal ulcers, the gastroesophageal varices and the erosive gastroduodenopaties. CONCLUSIONS. The high digestive hemorrhage has an important place among the causes of admission in the Calixto García University Hospital of La Habana(AU)

Treatment and outcome of patients with gastric remnant cancer after resection for peptic ulcer disease.

BACKGROUND: To study the pathology, treatment, and outcome of patients with gastric remnant cancer (GRC) after resection for peptic ulcer disease (PUD). METHODS: Review of a prospective gastric cancer database identified patients with GRC after gastrectomy for PUD. Clinicopathologic and treatment-related variables were obtained. Multivariate analysis was performed for factors associated with disease-specific survival (DSS). RESULTS: From January 1985 to April 2010, 4402 patients with gastric adenocarcinoma were treated at our institution and 105 patients (2.4%) had prior gastrectomy for PUD. Prior resections were most often Billroth II (N = 97, 92%). The median time from initial resection to development of GRC was 32 years (3-60 years), and the majority of tumors were located at the gastrointestinal anastomosis (N = 72, 69%). Median DSS was 1.3 years (0.6-2.1 years). Patients who had resection had a significantly better outcome than patients who did not have resection (median DSS 5 vs 0.35 years, P < .0001). Factors associated with DSS on multivariate analysis included advanced T-stage (HR 16.5 (CI 2.2-123.4), P = .0006) and lymph node metastasis (HR 1.1 (CI 1.0-1.2), P < .0001). Stage-specific survival following R0 resection was similar to patients with conventional gastric cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Patients have a lifetime risk for the development of GRC following resection for PUD. As with conventional gastric cancer, determinants of survival of patients with GRC include advanced T stage and nodal metastasis. Patients with GRC amenable to curative resection exhibit the best DSS and have stage-specific outcomes similar to patients with conventional gastric cancer.

Differences in the birth-cohort patterns of gastric cancer and peptic ulcer.

AIM: The aim of this epidemiological study was to follow the time trends of mortality from gastric cancer and compare them with those of gastric and duodenal ulcer. METHODS: Mortality data from Denmark, England & Wales, Italy, Japan, Switzerland and the United States of the past 57-130 years were analysed. The age-specific death rates were plotted against the period of death as period-age contours and against the period of birth as cohort-age contours. RESULTS: The long-term time trends of gastric cancer mortality were found to rise among generations born during the 18th century until the first half of the 19th century and then decline in all subsequent generations. The rise and fall of gastric cancer preceded similar birth-cohort patterns of gastric and duodenal ulcer by about 10-30 years. With the exception of gastric cancer in the USA, similar birth-cohort phenomena were seen in all countries. In general, similar temporal patterns were also seen in men and women analysed separately. CONCLUSIONS: The time trends of mortality from gastric cancer are shaped by an underlying birth-cohort pattern that resembles similar patterns of peptic ulcer mortality. The occurrence of birth-cohort phenomena in gastric cancer and peptic ulcer suggests that additional secular trends besides changes in the infection with Helicobacter pylori must have contributed to the peculiar long-term behaviour of these diagnoses.

Trends and outcomes of hospitalizations for peptic ulcer disease in the United States, 1993 to 2006.

OBJECTIVES: Despite progress in diagnosis and treatment, peptic ulcer disease (PUD) remains a common reason for hospitalization and operation. The purpose of this study was to quantify the time trends of hospitalizations and operations for PUD in the United States (US) since 1993. DATA AND METHODS: The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample is a 20% stratified sample of all hospitalizations in the United States. It was used to study hospitalizations with PUD as the principal diagnosis during 1993 to 2006, including details on ulcer site, complications, procedures, and mortality. Statistical methods included the chi test and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: The national estimate of hospitalizations for PUD decreased significantly from 222,601 in 1993 to 156,108 in 2006 (-29.9%), with a larger reduction in duodenal ulcers (95,552 in 1993 vs. 60,029 in 2006, -37.2%) than gastric ulcers (106,987 in 1993 vs. 86,064 in 2006, -19.6%). The inpatient mortality rate of PUD decreased from 3.8% to 2.7% during 1993 to 2006 (P < 0.001). Hemorrhage remained the most common complication (71.6% in 1993; 73.3% in 2006) but perforation had the highest mortality (15.1% in 1993; 10.6% in 2006). In comparison to 1993, patients hospitalized for PUD in 2006 more frequently had endoscopic treatment to control bleeding (12.9% vs. 22.2%, P < 0.001), similar use of surgical oversewing of ulcer (7.6% vs. 7.4%), less use of gastrectomy (4.4% vs. 2.1%, P < 0.001), and less use of vagotomy (5.7% vs. 1.7%, P < 0.001). In multivariate logistic regressions, the determinants of mortality were similar in 1993 and 2006. CONCLUSIONS: Hospitalizations for PUD decreased in the United States from 1993 to 2006, suggesting a decrease in the prevalence and/or severity of ulcer complications over this recent time period. Despite increased patient age and comorbidities, there has been a significant decrease in PUD mortality, a significant increase in the use of therapeutic endoscopy for bleeding ulcer, and a significant decrease in the use of definitive surgery (vagotomy or resection) for ulcer complications.

Acetylsalicylic acid use in patients with acute myocardial infarction and peptic ulcer bleeding.

BACKGROUND: Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is used in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) but is also a risk factor for peptic ulcer disease (PUD) bleeding. OBJECTIVE: To determine the factors associated with continued ASA use in patients with AMI who develop PUD bleeding. METHODS: AMI patients who developed PUD bleeding during the same hospitalization at two tertiary care hospitals in Edmonton, Alberta, between January 1999 and December 2006, were evaluated retrospectively. Multivariate analysis was used to determine predictors of the primary outcome of continued ASA use during PUD bleeding. RESULTS: A total of 102 patients were analyzed. Thirty-eight patients (37%) were continued on ASA, while 64 (63%) had ASA discontinued during their hospitalization. On multivariate regression analysis, significant predictors of continued ASA use included lowrisk ulcer stigmata on endoscopy (OR 3.7; 95% CI 1.4 to 10.2; P=0.01) and AMI requiring coronary intervention (OR 8.2; 95% CI 2.1 to 32.1; P=0.002). The mean (+/- SD) blood transfusion requirement was 3.9+/-3.6 units. The 30-day rebleeding and mortality rates were 14% and 14%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The continued use of ASA during AMI and PUD bleeding was variable. However, patients with low-risk ulcers and those who received coronary intervention were more likely to have ASA continued during PUD bleeding. Further studies evaluating the gastrointestinal risk of immediate ASA use in AMI with acute PUD bleeding are required.

Medicolegal aspects of post-traumatic gastroduodenal ulcers: a retrospective study.

Retrospective examination of 5-year autopsy material showed the presence of posttraumatic gastroduodenal ulcers (PGDU) in 17.7% of decedents deemed to be at risk. They were more common in males (77%) and in patients aged over 50. In the majority of cases (76%) the survival period was < 12 days; in 16.5% it was < 48 h. PGDU developed most commonly in victims of polytrauma and isolated craniocerebral injury, with ISS values > or = 16; patients with spinal cord injuries were at greatest risk. Most frequently affected was the stomach, exhibiting numerous, usually superficial lesions, while solitary acute and exacerbated chronic peptic ulcers were more common in the duodenum. Complications of PGDU developed in 40% of cases, mostly in the form of hemorrhage; in 20% of cases PGDU have contributed to death. Medicolegal aspects of PGDU are, most frequently, concerned with the causal relationship between trauma, PGDU, and fatal outcome, as well as the potential for allegations of medical negligence.