PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF PEPTIC ULCER DISEASE AMONG DYSPEPTIC PATIENTS AT ENDOSCOPY UNIT IN KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

Abstract

Introduction: Dyspepsia is a medical term utilized to describe a cluster of symptoms related to the digestive system, particularly in the upper gastrointestinal tract. The most prevalent causes of dyspepsia encompass gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcer disease (PUD), and non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD). A peptic ulcer is a sore or erosion that forms in the lining of the stomach, upper part of the small intestine, or lower part esophagus.
 Materials and Methods: The study incorporated 500 dyspeptic patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopic assessments. This hospital-based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at the endoscopy unit of different hospitals, spanning from January 1, 2023, to September 30, 2023.
 Results: The findings revealed that out of 500 dyspeptic patients, 45 (9%) exhibited positive results for peptic ulcer, while 455 (91%) displayed non-peptic ulcer conditions. The correlation between dyspepsia and peptic ulcer was statistically significant (χ2= 73, P= 0.01). Gender-specific prevalence indicated that 17 (37.7%) males and 28 (62.2%) females exhibited peptic ulcers. When stratified by age, the prevalence was 20 (44.4%) for individuals aged 18-40, 10 (22.2%) for those aged 41-52, and 15 (33.3%) for those above 52 years. Notably, significant differences were observed among age groups (χ2= 85, P= 0.04). Peptic ulcer prevalence was 16 (35.55%) for urban residents and 29 (64.44%) for rural residents. In the context of smoking habits, 30 (66.6%) of smokers exhibited peptic ulcers, compared to 15 (33.3%) of non-smokers. The association between smoking and peptic ulcers was statistically significant (χ2= 101, P= 0.02). Additionally, 28 (62.2%) of individuals with H. pylori infections displayed peptic ulcers, in contrast to 17(37.7%) without the infection. The association between H. pylori infection and peptic ulcers was statistically significant (χ2= 85, P= 0.05). Regarding NSAID use, 29 (64.4%) of participants who used NSAIDs and 16 (35.5%) who did not use NSAIDs showed peptic ulcer prevalence. The highest prevalence was among individuals using NSAIDs for pain relief. The association between NSAID use and peptic ulcers was statistically significant (χ2= 100, P= 0.05).
 Discussion: These results highlight the significance of addressing these risk factors in the management and prevention of peptic ulcer disease.