[Could treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers be cheaper?]

New, and potent antisecretory drugs for treating ulcer dyspepsia do not solve the problem of the high rate of recurrence of peptic ulcerations. Long term treatment has been recommended, but is expensive. Numerous reports on the efficacy, of bismuth preparations lead to the conclusion that this drug, combined with antacids, should be the first choice. Probably, more patients with recurrent ulcers should be evaluated for surgical treatment. Prophylactic measures, especially cessation of smoking, are the most important factors in the treatment.