Post-bulbar and coexisting ulceration: unique features of peptic ulcer in Hyderabad

Post-bulbar ulceration is uncommon, but a pilot study in Hyderabad showed a high incidence. We therefore carried out a prospective endoscopic study of the distribution of peptic ulceration and its relation to symptoms and demography. Of the 360 consecutive patients referred for endoscopy, 113 (92 men, 21 women) had peptic ulceration. Median age 35 years, median duration one year. Five patients (4%) had gastric ulcer, 77 (68%) had duodenal ulcer, and 31 (28%) had coexisting gastric and duodenal ulcer. The duodenal ulcer was found in the pyloric canal in 14% of patients, in the bulb in 80%, and the post-bulbar region in 56% of patients. Sixty seven per cent of duodenal ulcers were located at more than one site. The incidence of post-bulbar v bulbar ulcer was 1:1.5. Deformed bulb was seen in 50% of duodenal ulcer patients, but haemorrhage and stenosis were uncommon. Except for nocturnal pain, there were no differences in symptoms between the groups. Forty two per cent of patients smoked, 15% chewed tobacco, and 18% drank alcohol; almost all were men. Sixty four per cent drank tea. The staple diet (85%) was rice, and 70% used tamarind and spices daily. Duodenal ulcer was three times more common than gastric ulcer with a high incidence of post-bulbar and coexisting ulcer. It affected a younger and predominantly male population, and was not associated with a higher rate of complication.