peptic ulcer disease

Etiology Helicobacter pylori, NSAIDs are the main ones
Weird and wonderful: stress ulcers, autoimmune, gastrinoma
Epidemiology
Clinical presentation Complications: haemorrhage, gastric outlet obstruction, perforation
Pathogenesis H pylori pathogenicity:
- burrows through mucosal barrier
- releases ammonium
Diagnostic investigations To confirm H pylori: carbon-13 urea breath test or stool antigen test (after no PPI for 2 weeks, or antibiotics for 4 weeks)
Management - H pylori +ve and no NSAIDs: Eradication therapy
- H pylori +ve and NSAID use: full dose PPI then eradication therapy
- Confirmed gastric ulcer: Repeat endoscopy and H pylori re-testing 6-8 weeks after starting treatment
- Expect healing in:
>> 4/52 for duodenal ulcers
>> 8/52 for gastric ulcers

Most common site of perforation: 1st part of duodenum
Most common site of significant bleeding: posterior wall of the 1st part of duodenum where ulcer erodes gastroduodenal artery