[Rate of recurrence of duodenal ulcer in smokers and nonsmokers]

In 70 patients (35 non-smokers and smokers each) with an endoscopically established duodenal ulcer the number of recidivations was investigated. In this case in the group of smokers an inclination to recidivations was found which was nearly double the size. Patients with a great consumption of nicotine per day were particularly affected. Apart from this the question was investigated whether the form of the ulcer has any influence on the frequency of recidivations. No remarkable differences between the forms of ulcer round, irregular, oval and linear could be proved. The economic disadvantages by inability to work considerably differ in the two groups. The number of days at which was not worked on account of putting the patients on the sick-list is nearly thrice as great in the group of smokers.