Duodenal ulcer profile in a high endemic area

Retrospective analysis of 1400 duodenal ulcer patients from a high endemic area of Northwest India is presented. Duodenal ulcer occurred in the male:female ratio of 3:2:1 and was most common in the age group 31-40 years (40%). Ulcer pain was the presenting symptom in 78% hemetemesis and melena in 32%, duodenal perforation was seen in 3.5% and obstruction in 26%. The environmental factors, possibly linked in the etiology of duodenal ulcer, operating in a genetically predisposed community are discussed.