GLOBAL INCIDENCE AND PREVALENCE OF PEPTIC ULCER DISEASE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW STUDY

Background and aim: Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) are mainly associated with Helicobacter pylori infection and the use of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The management of H. pylori infection has improved radically in recent years; however, the prescription of ASA and NSAIDs has increased over the same period. Aim To evaluate the current global incidence and prevalence of PUD by systematic review of the literature published over the last decade.

Methods: Systematic searches of PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane library with search terms peptic ulcer, incidence, prevalence and h. pylori infection.

Results: Incidence rates of PUD were 0.10–0.19% for physician diagnosed PUD and 0.03–0.17% when based on hospitalization data annually. The 1-year prevalence based on physician diagnosis was 0.12–1.50% and that based on hospitalization data was 0.10–0.19%. The majority of studies reported a decrease in the incidence or prevalence of PUD over time.

Conclusions: Peptic ulcer disease remains a frequent condition, although reported cases of incidence and prevalence are decreasing. This reduction in the reported Peptic ulcer cases may be due to a decrease in H. pylori-associated PUD.

Key words: peptic ulcer, prevalence, incidence, helicobacter pylori infection