[Epidemiology of peptic ulcer disease in the aged in Japan]

The population in Japan is now decreasing, however, the population older than 65 years old is increasing remarkably in the recent years. The old people with peptic ulcer may hospitalize for longer period than that of younger. The serious complications such as bleeding, perforation and obstruction may affect the period of hospitalization. In 1983, Helicobacter pylori was found and identified. The eradication of Helicobacter pylori causes a decrease of ulcer recurrence and the lower prevalence rate of Helicobacter pylori in the younger people may decrease the incidence of peptic ulcer in the near feature. Thus, the people older than 65 years old with a high risk for peptic ulcer will increase, although the infection rate of Helicobacter pylori will decrease. The actual number of peptic ulcer in the old people may decrease, however, the percentage of old people with peptic ulcer against total population may increase, although it is very difficult to predict the incidence of peptic ulcer diseases in the future.