Seasonal Variation in Peptic Ulcer Disease Hospitalization: A 10-year Perspective in the U.S.

Abstract

Introduction: Seasonal variation in peptic ulcer disease (PUD) has been previously reported, but has been poorly investigated due to the lack of large-scale studies and, thus, poorly understood. Methods: With the use of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 2000 through 2011, we identified PUDrelated hospitalizations using International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9), 9th Revision, Clinical Modification code 531.00 to 534.91 as the principal discharge diagnosis. The total number of hospitalizations for each calendar month of the year, added over 12 years period (2000-2011), was calculated and this number was divided by number of days in that particular month to obtain the mean hospitalizations per day for each month. Results: An estimated 351, 920 hospitalizations with the primary diagnosis of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) occurred in the US from the beginning of calendar year 2000-2011. Mean age of the study population was 66.2 ± 17.4 (mean ± SD); 47.5% were females and 73.9% were White. Depending on the average daily hospitalization for each calendar month of the year, the number of hospitalization was highest in the winter season and lowest in the fall season. There was a rising trend in PUD related hospitalizations from January to May (900/day to 920/ day). The average number of hospitalizations was highest in February (939/day); thereafter the hospitalization rate dropped to 845/day, to reach a nadir in November. Conclusion: A seasonal variation in PUD hospitalization shows higher incidence in the winter season and lowest in the fall season. When data was corrected by monthly admission proportion, winter periods are confirmed as higher risk periods.Figure 1