[Incidence of duodenal ulcer in the city of Reims 1988]

No epidemiological data on the incidence of duodenal ulcer are available for a well-defined population in France. We therefore conducted a prospective study in the urban population of Reims. All radiologists, gastroenterologists and surgeons of this town were asked to report all new cases of duodenal ulcer seen during one year. During 1988, 114 new cases were identified. Age standardized incidence using world population standards were 83.6/100,000 for males and 29.5/100,000 for females. The male/female ratio was 2.8. Mean age at the time of diagnosis was 51.9 years, higher for females (63.4 years) than for males (48.0 years). Nearly one third (32.5%) of duodenal ulcers presented with complications (haemorrhage or perforation) at the time of initial diagnosis.