STOMACH

Risk factors for peptic ulcer disease: a population based prospective cohort study comprising 2416 Danish adults

S Rosenstock¹, T Jørgensen¹, O Bonnevie² and L Andersen³

¹ Copenhagen County Centre for Preventive Medicine, Glostrup University Hospital, Building 8.7. Nordre Ringvej, DK 2600 Glostrup, Denmark
² Department of Medicine I, Bispebjerg Hospital, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, DK 2400, Copenhagen, Denmark
³ Department of Infectious Hygiene 5222, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 3, DK 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr S Rosenstock, Department of Surgery D26, Glostrup University Hospital, Nordre Ringvej 2600 Glostrup, Denmark;
rosenstock.s{at}dadlnet.dk

Background: No population based prospective cohort study has previously assessed the impact of multiple risk factors, including Helicobacter pylori infection, on the incidence of peptic ulcer disease (PUD).

Aims: To identify risk factors for PUD and estimate their relative impact on ulcer incidence.

Subjects: Random sample of 2416 Danish adults with no history of PU.

Methods: Sample members were interviewed in 1982 and 1994. PUs diagnosed within the observation period were verified through medical records. Information on psychosocial factors, lifestyle practices, and medication was obtained from a questionnaire completed at study entry. H pylori infection status was determined by ELISA.

Results: The main risk factors for PUD were H pylori infection (odds ratio 4.3 (95% confidence interval 2.2; 8.3)), tobacco smoking (3.8 (1.7; 9.8)), and use of minor tranquillisers (3.0 (1.4; 6.6)). Intake of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs did not affect the incidence of PUD (0.4 (0.1; 2.3)). In those with increased antibodies to H pylori, tobacco smoking (12.7 (2.8; 56.8)) and intake of spirits (2.4 (1.1; 5.4)) increased the risk of PUD whereas moderate leisure time physical activity (0.3 (0.2; 0.7)) protected against PUD.

Conclusions: Tobacco smoking and H pylori infection are the main risk factors for PUD in Danish adults. Physical activity may protect against PUD in those infected with H pylori.

Abbreviations: PUD, peptic ulcer disease; NSAIDs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; GU, gastric ulcer; DU, duodenal ulcer; PPI, proton pump inhibitor

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

Relevant Article

Digest

Ian Forgacs
Gut 2003 52: 159. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Christensen, S., Thomsen, R. W., Torring, M. L., Riis, A., Norgaard, M., Sorensen, H. T. (2008). Impact of COPD on Outcome Among Patients With Complicated Peptic Ulcer. Chest 133: 1360-1366 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Muir, M. (2004). Hygieia. J. Epidemiol. Community Health 58: 80-80 [Full Text]  
• (2003). Minerva. BMJ 326: 344-344 [Full Text]