Abstract
BackgroundFew epidemiologic studies have investigated predictors of uncomplicated peptic ulcer disease (PUD) separately from predictors of complicated PUD.ObjectiveTo analyze risk factors associated with uncomplicated PUD and medication use after diagnosis.MethodsPatients diagnosed with uncomplicated PUD (n = 3,914) were identified from The Health Improvement Network database among individuals aged 40–84 years during 1997–2005, with no previous history of PUD. Prescription records for the year after the date of diagnosis were reviewed and a nested case–control analysis was performed to calculate the odds ratios for the association of potential risk factors with PUD.ResultsMedications associated with developing uncomplicated PUD included current use of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), paracetamol, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, antidepressants, antihypertensives or acid suppressants. Uncomplicated PUD was significantly associated with being a current or former smoker and having had a score of at least 3 on the Townsend deprivation index. Approximately 50% of patients who were users of ASA (19% of patients) or chronic users of NSAIDs (7% of patients) at diagnosis did not receive another prescription of the medication in the 60 days after diagnosis, and 30% were not represcribed therapy within a year. Among patients who were current users of ASA or chronic NSAIDs at the time of the PUD diagnosis and received a subsequent prescription for their ASA or NSAID during the following year, the vast majority (80–90%) also received a proton pump inhibitor coprescription.ConclusionsOur results indicate that several risk factors for upper gastrointestinal bleeding are also predictors of uncomplicated PUD, and that some patients do not restart therapy with ASA or NSAIDs after a diagnosis of uncomplicated PUD. Further investigation is needed regarding the consequences for these patients in terms of increased cardiovascular burden due to discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy.
Highlights
In the UK general population, it has been estimated that the incidence of peptic ulcer complications, including ulcer haemorrhage or perforation, is approximately 1 per 1000 person-years, and about 5–10% of these complications may be fatal [1,2,3]
Our results indicate that several risk factors for upper gastrointestinal bleeding are predictors of uncomplicated peptic ulcer disease (PUD), and that some patients do not restart therapy with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) after a diagnosis of uncomplicated PUD
For current use of ASA, the risk of uncomplicated PUD was increased 1.5-fold (OR: 1.54; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.37–1.74), while dual antiplatelet therapy (ASA and clopidogrel) was associated with an approximately 2.5-fold increased risk (OR: 2.62; 95% CI: 1.12–6.11)
Summary
In the UK general population, it has been estimated that the incidence of peptic ulcer complications, including ulcer haemorrhage or perforation, is approximately 1 per 1000 person-years, and about 5–10% of these complications may be fatal [1,2,3]. The need for efficient identification and treatment of potentially life-threatening complications is clear, uncomplicated peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is clinically relevant and contributes to the overall health burden of PUD. We have previously shown that, from 1997 to 2005, the overall incidence of uncomplicated PUD was 0.75 cases per 1000 personyears in a study conducted using The Health Improvement. Few epidemiologic studies have investigated predictors of uncomplicated peptic ulcer disease (PUD) separately from predictors of complicated PUD
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