Peptic ulcer perforation in young Indians the causation and the trend

Abstract

Background: Peptic ulcer perforation is the commonest surgical emergencies in India. Recent emergency surgical procedures show an increasing trend in peptic ulcer perforation surgery in young adults. This study is carried out with an aim to understand the trend, causation and complications of peptic ulcer perforation in young Indians.Methods: A prospective observational study of young adult Indian patients operated for emergency peptic ulcer perforation for a 3 years period from January 2014 to January 2017 was carried out. The incidence, causative factors and the complications were analyzed.Results: In study of 150 patients, maximum incidence of 42.85% was seen in age group of 21 to 30 years that is young adults. 80% of them were males. 59% patients had blood group O. Association with smoking and alcoholism was seen in about 64% and 66.6% respectively. In about 13.33% there was an association seen with history of NSAID / steroid ingestion / treatment with proton pump inhibitors or H2antagonists.The duodenal perforation was found in 84.66%. In 90% the perforation was less than 1cm.Wound infection was the commonest complication among all patients. Mortality was seen in 3.33%.Conclusions: Peptic ulcer perforation shows increasing incidence in young adult males. The increased incidence shows association to smoking, alcoholism, irregular food habits, use of NSAIDS/steroids and overall stressed lifestyle.