Time-trends in the epidemiology of peptic ulcer bleeding

Despite the introduction of effective medical treatment of peptic ulcer disease, bleeding is still a frequent complication. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the incidence and the risk profile of peptic ulcer haemorrhage have changed within a 10-year period.

In a prospective epidemiological and observational study the incidence and risk profile of peptic ulcer haemorrhage in Düsseldorf, Germany were compared between two time periods (period A: 1.3.89-28.2.90 and period B: 1.4.99-31.3.2000), involving nine hospitals with both surgical and medical departments. Patients with proven peptic ulcer haemorrhage at endoscopy or operation were included in the study; those with bleeding under defined severe stress conditions were excluded.

No differences in bleeding ulcer incidence were observed between periods A and B (51.4 per 100,000 person-years versus 48.7), or for duodenal ulcer (24.9 versus 25.7) or for gastric ulcer bleeding (26.5 versus 23.0). A marked increase in incidence rates was observed with increasing age. In period B, patients with bleeding ulcers were older (56% versus 41% 70 years or older), were usually taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (45% versus 27%) and were less likely to have a history of ulcer (25% versus 59%) compared with patients in period A.

The persisting high incidence of peptic ulcer disease is a superimposing of two trends: a higher incidence in the growing population of elderly patient with a higher intake of NSAIDs and a lower incidence among younger patients due to a decrease in incidence and improved medical treatment.