[Complications of peptic ulcer]

The complication rate of peptic ulcer disease is 2 to 5% a year. Hemorrhage occurs four times more often than perforation and penetration. High age and the use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) are the most important risk factors. The incidence of rebleeding is twice as high after a first complication. About 15 to 30% of bleeding patients die because of this complication. Endoscopy is the means of choice in diagnosis and primary therapy. Gastric retention and vomiting of stale food are typical symptoms of gastric outlet obstruction.