Prior Ulcer Research Articles

Rate of Healing of Neuropathic Ulcers of the Foot in Diabetes and Its Relationship to Ulcer Duration and Ulcer Area

To examine the outcome of neuropathic foot ulcers and to seek associations between healing and features of the ulcers at baseline. Data were collected prospectively during the course of routine management. All patients were selected who presented to a single unit between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2004 with neuropathic foot ulcers and without evidence of either peripheral arterial disease or infection. Associations were sought between ulcer characteristics at baseline and clinical outcome. A total of 154 patients (66.9% male) presented with 410 ulcers. Age was 57.4 +/- 12.0 years (means +/- SD). A total of 178 (43.4%) ulcers were on the plantar aspect of the foot; 73.7% of ulcers had a cross-sectional area of <1 cm2. Median ulcer duration at referral was 15 days (range 1-1,046). Healing without amputation was observed in 91.7%. The percentage of ulcers healed at 12, 20, and 52 weeks were 59.3, 70.5, and 86.6%, respectively. Significant associations were observed between area at referral and outcome type (chi2 P < 0.0001), prior ulcer duration (Kruskal-Wallis P = 0.006), and time to healing (Kruskal-Wallis P = 0.014), as well as between ulcer duration and time to healing (Spearman rho, r = 0.104, P = 0.047). There was no difference between plantar and nonplantar ulcers. The rate of healing in this cohort provides a benchmark for comparison with other centers. While further work is needed to determine how outcomes can be improved in unselected series such as these, the confirmation of close relationships between ulcer duration at referral, ulcer area, and outcome emphasizes the importance of early expert assessment of newly occurring neuropathic ulcers.

Primer: managing NSAID-induced ulcer complications—balancing gastrointestinal and cardiovascular risks

Ulcer complications associated with the use of NSAIDs, in high-risk patients, are often caused by a failure to identify patients' risk factors, concomitant use of aspirin or multiple NSAIDs, and underutilization of gastroprotective agents. Current data suggest that cyclo-oxygenase 2 (COX2) inhibitors and some nonselective NSAIDs increase the risk of myocardial infarction. Physicians must, therefore, take into account both the gastrointestinal and the cardiovascular risks of individual patients when prescribing NSAIDs. In patients with a low cardiovascular risk, NSAIDs can be prescribed according to the level of gastrointestinal risk. Patients with a moderate gastrointestinal risk (one or two risk factors) should receive a COX2 inhibitor or an NSAID plus a PPI or misoprostol. Patients with more than two gastrointestinal risk factors or prior ulcer complications require the combination of a COX2 inhibitor and a PPI. Patients with a high cardiovascular risk (e.g. coronary heart disease or an estimated 10-year cardiovascular risk greater than 10%) should receive prophylactic aspirin and combination therapy with a PPI or misoprostol irrespective of the presence of gastrointestinal risk factors. Naproxen is the preferred NSAID because it is not associated with excess cardiovascular risk. Patients with a high cardiovascular risk and a very high gastrointestinal risk should avoid using NSAIDs or COX2 inhibitors.

Cardioprotective aspirin users and their excess risk of upper gastrointestinal complications

BackgroundTo balance the cardiovascular benefits from low-dose aspirin against the gastrointestinal harm caused, studies have considered the coronary heart disease risk for each individual but not their gastrointestinal risk profile. We characterized the gastrointestinal risk profile of low-dose aspirin users in real clinical practice, and estimated the excess risk of upper gastrointestinal complications attributable to aspirin among patients with different gastrointestinal risk profiles.MethodsTo characterize aspirin users in terms of major gastrointestinal risk factors (i.e., advanced age, male sex, prior ulcer history and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), we used The General Practice Research Database in the United Kingdom and the Base de Datos para la Investigación Farmacoepidemiológica en Atención Primaria in Spain. To estimate the baseline risk of upper gastrointestinal complications according to major gastrointestinal risk factors and the excess risk attributable to aspirin within levels of these factors, we used previously published meta-analyses on both absolute and relative risks of upper gastrointestinal complications.ResultsOver 60% of aspirin users are above 60 years of age, 4 to 6% have a recent history of peptic ulcers and over 13% use other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The estimated average excess risk of upper gastrointestinal complications attributable to aspirin is around 5 extra cases per 1,000 aspirin users per year. However, the excess risk varies in parallel to the underlying gastrointestinal risk and might be above 10 extra cases per 1,000 person-years in over 10% of aspirin users.ConclusionIn addition to the cardiovascular risk, the underlying gastrointestinal risk factors have to be considered when balancing harms and benefits of aspirin use for an individual patient. The gastrointestinal harms may offset the cardiovascular benefits in certain groups of patients where the gastrointestinal risk is high and the cardiovascular risk is low.

Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs and proton‐pump inhibitors vs. cyclo‐oxygenase‐2 selective inhibitors in reducing the risk of recurrent ulcer bleeding in patients with arthritis

A history of ulcer bleeding is the single most important risk factor for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-related ulcer complications.1 While the use of cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) selective NSAIDs decreases the risk of gastrointestinal complications in those not receiving concurrent aspirin therapy, their safety in patients with a prior history of ulcer bleeding is unknown. In a post hoc analysis of patients enrolled in the VIGOR trial, Laine et al.2 did not find a significant safety benefit with the use of the COX-2 selective NSAID rofecoxib compared with the traditional NSAID naproxen in the subgroup of patients with a history of ulcer complications (Figure 1) or in those infected with Helicobacter pylori (Figure 2). It is unclear whether the lack of an advantage of rofecoxib over naproxen in these subgroups indicates a failure of rofecoxib in high-risk patients, was a reflection of the small sample size that was inadequate to detect the difference, or other more complex issues. Prior ulcer complications negate the gastrointestinal sparing effect of rofecoxib. No significant benefit in the risk for complications was seen with the use of a cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) in those with prior ulcer disease. Adapted from Laine et al.2 Infection with Helicobacter pylori and prior gastrointestinal event negate the gastrointestinal sparing effect of cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In those with a clinical upper gastrointestinal event who are H. pylori-positive there was no significant benefit to the use of a COX-2 selective NSAID. Adapted from Laine et al.2 A randomized, double-blind study confirmed the findings of the post hoc analysis – patients treated with COX-2 selective NSAIDs who have a history of ulcer complications are still at-risk for recurrent ulcer bleeding.3 Further, the study observed that in those with a history of recurrent gastrointestinal bleed the risk for recurrence was similar in those treated with either a COX-2 selective NSAID (4.9% within 6 months) or a traditional NSAID plus a proton-pump inhibitors (PPI; 6.4% within 6 months) (Figure 3).4-6 Using the combined end-point of endoscopic and bleeding ulcers, 24% of the patients receiving celecoxib and 31% of those receiving diclofenac plus omeprazole had recurrent ulcers within 6 months.6 These results indicate that neither a COX-2 selective NSAID nor a traditional NSAID plus a PPI completely eliminates the risk of ulcer in very high risk patients. Efficacy of cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) vs. traditional NSAIDs plus a proton-pump inhibitors (PPI) in reducing the risk of ulcer bleeding in high-risk patients. Those with a recent gastrointestinal bleed have a reduced risk for recurrence when treated with either a traditional NSAID plus a PPI or a COX-2 selective NSAID. What strategies should be considered to reduce the risk for recurrence in a patient with a history of upper gastrointestinal bleeding on NSAIDs who requires ongoing analgesic therapy? Strategies for preventing recurrent as well as new NSAID-related gastrointestinal complications should be based on the patient's individual risk factors. Traditionally, patients with no risk factors (e.g. use of high dose or multiple NSAIDs, age over 60 years, co-morbid illness, etc.) have been considered to be at average risk, those with one or two factors at moderate risk, and those with multiple factors or taking concomitant aspirin, corticosteroids or anticoagulants to be at high risk. The data regarding a history of ulcer bleeding suggests a need for a fourth category – very high risk. Clinically, these individuals should be treated accordingly. Intuitively, the combination of a COX-2 selective NSAID plus co-therapy with either a PPI or misoprostol would be anticipated to provide a high level of gastroprotection, although this approach has not been studied in prospective clinical trials.7 Should a high-risk patient (one with more than two risk factors) be treated with a COX-2 selective NSAID plus a PPI? Among workshop participants, nearly all (94%) strongly agreed (38%) or agreed with reservation (56%) that high risk patients should be treated with a COX-2 selective NSAID plus a PPI. About 6% disagreed with reservation. Does successful eradication of H. pylori obviate the need for PPI treatment in high-risk patients requiring low-dose aspirin? One quarter (25%) of workshop participants strongly disagreed that H. pylori cure obviates the need for PPI treatment in high-risk patients taking low-dose aspirin, an additional 57% disagreed with reservation. Only 12% strongly agreed and 6% agreed with reservation.

Outcome of upper gastro-intestinal bleeding and use of ibuprofen versus paracetamol

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are known to increase the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). Whether the severity of outcome of UGIB associated with NSAIDs differs from non-NSAID-related UGIB is less clear. Medical records of 228 patients hospitalized for UGIB in the Danish county of North Jutland were evaluated. Preadmission characteristics and clinical outcomes were compared between 112 patients who had been prescribed ibuprofen and 116 patients who had been prescribed paracetamol within 90 days of the hospitalization. The baseline characteristics of UGIB patients prescribed ibuprofen tended to differ from those prescribed paracetamol. The ibuprofen group significantly less often had histories of ulcer (11% vs 36%) and dyspepsia (19% vs 44%), or had been prescribed medications for these or other conditions, and had lower co-morbidity indices. Ibuprofen users also were somewhat less likely (31% vs 37%) to report GI pain at admission, but among hospitalized patients with endoscopic examinations were more likely (75% vs 58%) to be diagnosed with ulcer or hematemesis vs normal or gastritis/dyspepsia/reflux. For the clinical outcomes, 30 days case fatality rates were 12% for both ibuprofen and paracetamol users. The ibuprofen-related cases of UGIB more often required surgery (11% vs 3%) or transfusions (66% vs 57%), and those prescribed ibuprofen averaged 11 days in hospital, 4 days longer than those prescribed paracetamol. Adjustment for baseline characteristics and underlying conditions, or analyses eliminating patients with unconfirmed diagnoses and prior ulcers or restricted to patients with current hospital diagnoses of ulcer or hematemesis, did not materially alter the ibuprofen vs paracetamol differences in outcome measures. Generally similar results were obtained when restricting the analyses to patients prescribed ibuprofen or paracetamol within 30 days of UGIB hospitalization, except for a reduction in the 30 days case fatality rate among those prescribed ibuprofen. UGIB patients with antecedent ibuprofen prescriptions experienced about the same case fatality rates, but more surgery and longer hospital stays, than patients prescribed paracetamol. The differences appear in part due to differing characteristics among those prescribed ibuprofen compared with those prescribed paracetamol, but also raise the possibility of drug-related effects.

Recurrent oral and vulvar ulcers in a fifteen-year-old girl

A 15-year-old girl has had a 3-year history of recurrent, painful oral and genital ulcers. This was her fourth ulcer episode and lesions had begun 3 days earlier. This was her first episode of simultaneous oral and vulvar ulcers; prior ulcers had occurred in each region separately. Fever and malaise had sometimes accompanied the ulcers. She had no history of other skin lesions except acne of her trunk. An ophthalmologist was following her regularly for poor vision in one eye since birth; otherwise her ophthalmologic examinations had been normal.

Adverse effects of conventional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on the upper gastrointestinal tract.

This article reviews the clinical and epidemiological features of conventional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) related peptic ulcer complications, and the associated risk factors. The degree of gastrointestinal toxicity varies widely between the available drugs and with dose of each. The risk of ulcer complications can however be reduced, and perhaps completely removed, by using the lowest dose of the least toxic member of the class. Enteric coating and other delayed release formulations have not been shown to reduce risk. Estimates of the imposed disease burden have varied widely, in part through assuming that risks in selected patient groups will necessarily translate to the general population. Nevertheless, the imposed disease burden is one of the largest associated with current drug treatment. Associated risk factors such as prior ulcer, corticosteroid use and concurrent aspirin as well as general cardiovascular disease will raise the likelihood of an ulcer complication in NSAID takers and non-takers. Therefore, strategies dependent on substituting COX-selective drugs will then be only partially successful.

Endoscopic examination with the duodenoscope at ERCP: Frequency of lesions and accuracy of detection

Background: Little is known about the yield and accuracy of endoscopic examination with the duodenoscope after ERCP, and there appears to be no uniform standard of practice for endoscopic examination in this setting. Methods: Over a 1-year period, all patients undergoing ERCP also underwent endoscopic examination of the duodenum, stomach, and esophagus with the duodenoscope upon completion of ERCP. Patients were then placed in the left lateral decubitus position and upper endoscopy was performed with a standard forward-viewing endoscope. The same investigator performed both endoscopic examinations. Patients were queried about prior ulcer disease, upper GI symptoms, and use of antisecretory medication as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Results: During the 12-month study, 368 patients (mean age 53 years) underwent 474 procedures. The most frequent indication for ERCP was suspected choledocholithiasis (24%). Endoscopic examination was normal in 42% of patients, and the most frequent endoscopic finding was hiatal hernia (132 patients, 36%). The lesions most frequently missed with the duodenoscope were trauma at the upper esophageal sphincter (12 patients) and small benign gastric polyps (3 patients). Examination with the duodenoscope was superior to the forward-viewing endoscope for identification of Schatzki's ring. No carcinoma, gastric varices, or severe esophagitis were missed with the duodenoscope. Conclusions: Given the frequency of endoscopic lesions, a yield of positive findings similar to that obtained with the forward-viewing endoscope, and the ease of performing endoscopy with the duodenoscope, endoscopic examination of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum with the duodenoscope should become standard practice after ERCP. (Gastrointest Endosc 2002;55:538-42.)

Incidence and pathophysiology of peptic ulcer bleeding.

Peptic ulcer accounts for about 50% of all cases of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Acute mortality may be as high as 14%. Infection with Helicobacter plyori (Hp) and the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the predominant risk factors. While the prevalence of Hp in ulcer bleeding is still debated, there is strong evidence that eradication of bacteria reduce the risk of re-bleeding significantly. The use of NSAIDs increases the frequency of ulcer bleeding about four- to sixfold on average. Additional factors such as advanced age, concomitant use of corticosteroids or anticoagulants, prior ulcer complications and co-morbid diseases may further increase the risk of bleeding. Whether or not Hp infection also represents an additive risk factor in NSAID-related bleeding remains to be clarified. The pathophysiologic action of both Hp and NSAIDs is quite complex. Hp promotes the aggressive factor acid and damages several mucosal defence mechanisms by liberating lipopolysaccharide, urease and vacuolating cytotoxin. In NSAID toxicity the cyclo-oxygenase enzymes (COX) have been studied intensively. With the advent of COX-2-selective NSAIDs, the clinical problem of NSAID-induced ulcer bleeding may be markedly reduced or abolished completely.

Prospects for changing the burden of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug toxicity

Traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) increase the risk of clinically important upper gastrointestinal ulcers and bleeds about fourfold. Other risk factors for these events include advanced age, higher NSAID dose, prior ulcer or bleed, use of anticoagulants, use of corticosteroids, and poor general health. Among NSAID users with more than one risk factor, the incidence of serious ulcer complications may be as high as 4% to 8% per year. NSAIDs may also increase blood pressure and have adverse effects on renal function. NSAID-associated toxicity may be decreased by (1) trying less toxic alternative drugs; (2) using NSAIDs less frequently or at a lower dose; (3) use of cotherapy, such as misoprostol or proton pump inhibitors, to prevent complications; (4) or use of the more selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors. More research is needed to determine which of these strategies or combination of strategies is optimal in terms of patient safety and cost

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF NONSTEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUG-ASSOCIATED UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL TOXICITY

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely prescribed in the United States to treat pain and reduce inflammation from chronic inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Approximately 40% of older Americans take NSAIDs. Chronic NSAID use carries a risk of peptic ulcer and other gastrointestinal disturbances. This article reviews the diagnosis of medication-induced ulcers based on clinical presentation, laboratory tests, and endoscopic findings to assist the clinician in early diagnosis and appropriate therapy. Risk factors for NSAID-induced ulcers include old age, poor medical status, prior ulcer, alcoholism, smoking, high NSAID dosage, prolonged NSAID use, and concomitant use of other drugs that are gastric irritants, such as alendronate, a bone resorption inhibitor prescribed for osteoporosis. Appropriate treatment options for patients with medication-induced ulcers include dosage reduction, medication substitution, medication withdrawal, antiulcer therapy, and discontinuation of other gastrotoxic drugs.

Prediction of resource utilization and case cost for acute nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage at a canadian community hospital

OBJECTIVE: Upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (UGIH) is common, and thus imposes a substantial burden on health care resources. We describe resource utilization and cost for management of acute nonvariceal UGIH, and studied their variation among population subgroups. METHODS: Resource utilization and direct medical case costs were extracted for consecutive admissions for nonvariceal UGIH at a large community hospital in southern Ontario through chart review and adaptation of an administrative case cost database. Univariate and multiple regression models were then developed to identify independent demographic predictors of case cost and length of stay. RESULTS: Among 116 eligible admissions the average length of stay and case cost were 4.26 days and Can$2690, respectively (Can$1 = US$0.70). Both cost and length of stay demonstrated significant univariate relationships with age, comorbid illness, prior peptic ulcer disease (PUD), and prior UGIH. Age and prior PUD persisted as independent predictors in multiple regression models. An inverse transformation of total case cost allowed these variables to explain 26% of the total variance. CONCLUSIONS: Resource utilization for management of acute nonvariceal UGIH at a Canadian community hospital varies substantially among population subgroups, but correlates independently with age and prior ulcer history. Careful attention must be paid to practice environments and demographic profiles before economic models of strategies to prevent or treat UGIH are applied to specific subpopulations.

Prediction of resource utilization and case cost for acute nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage at a Canadian community hospital.

Upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (UGIH) is common, and thus imposes a substantial burden on health care resources. We describe resource utilization and cost for management of acute nonvariceal UGIH, and studied their variation among population subgroups. Resource utilization and direct medical case costs were extracted for consecutive admissions for nonvariceal UGIH at a large community hospital in southern Ontario through chart review and adaptation of an administrative case cost database. Univariate and multiple regression models were then developed to identify independent demographic predictors of case cost and length of stay. Among 116 eligible admissions the average length of stay and case cost were 4.26 days and Can$2690, respectively (Can$1 = US$0.70). Both cost and length of stay demonstrated significant univariate relationships with age, comorbid illness, prior peptic ulcer disease (PUD), and prior UGIH. Age and prior PUD persisted as independent predictors in multiple regression models. An inverse transformation of total case cost allowed these variables to explain 26% of the total variance. Resource utilization for management of acute nonvariceal UGIH at a Canadian community hospital varies substantially among population subgroups, but correlates independently with age and prior ulcer history. Careful attention must be paid to practice environments and demographic profiles before economic models of strategies to prevent or treat UGIH are applied to specific subpopulations.

The epidemic of cocaine-related juxtapyloric perforations: with a comment on the importance of testing for Helicobacter pylori.

This is a report of 50 consecutive patients with juxtapyloric perforations after smoking "crack" cocaine (cocaine base) at one urban public hospital. Although the exact causal relation between smoking crack cocaine and a subsequent juxtapyloric perforation has not been defined, surgical services in urban public hospitals now treat significant numbers of male addicts with such perforations. This report describes the patient set, presentation, and surgical management and suggests a possible role for Helicobacter pylori in contributing to these perforations. A retrospective chart review was performed, supplemented by data from the patient log in the department of surgery. From 1994 to 1998, 50 consecutive patients (48 men, 2 women) with a mean age of 37 had epigastric pain and signs of peritonitis a median of 2 to 4 hours (but up to 48 hours) after smoking crack cocaine. A history of chronic smoking of crack as well as chronic alcohol abuse was noted in all patients; four had a prior history of presumed ulcer disease in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Free air was present on an upright abdominal x-ray in 84% of patients, and all underwent operative management. A 3- to 5-mm juxtapyloric perforation, usually in the prepyloric area, was found in all patients. Omental patch closure was used in 49 patients and falciform ligament closure in 1. Two patients underwent parietal cell vagotomy as well. In the later period of the review, antral mucosal biopsies were performed through the juxtapyloric perforation in five patients. Urease testing was positive for infection with H. pyonri in four, and these patients were prescribed appropriate antimicrobial drugs. Juxtapyloric perforations after the smoking of crack cocaine occur in a largely male population of drug addicts who are 8 to 10 years younger than the patient group that historically has perforations in the pyloroduodenal area. These perforations are usually 3 to 5 mm in diameter, and an antral mucosal biopsy for subsequent urease testing should be performed if the location and size of the ulcer allow this to be done safely. Omental patch closure is appropriate therapy for patients without a history of prior ulcer disease; antimicrobial therapy and omeprazole are prescribed when H. pylori is present.

Biliary Diversion

To design an operation to prevent enterogastric reflux of bile that will not interfere with gastric or proximal intestinal motility and that will be applicable in patients with primary alkaline reflux gastritis, various prior ulcer operations, and previous corrective operations for enterogastric reflux. A nonrandomized, prospective review of 27 patients with enterogastric reflux operated on between 1991 and 1995. A midwestern medical school and 400-bed tertiary referral center, adult hospital. Twenty-seven patients with symptoms compatible with enterogastric reflux, primary or secondary to ulcer operations, or with Roux-en-Y limb stasis following attempts to correct alkaline reflux gastritis. An operation designed to reestablish gastroduodenal continuity by converting previous procedures such as Billroth II gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy to a Billroth I gastroduodenostomy, and by diverting bile away from the stomach by end-to-side choledochojejunostomy by means of a Roux-en-Y limb of 35 to 40 cm. Resolution of the preoperative symptoms of pain, nausea, and bilious vomiting in patients with enterogastric reflux, and elimination of the Roux stasis syndrome as well as prevention of future enterogastric reflux in patients undergoing conversion from Roux-en-Y to Billroth I. Serial evaluation of gastric emptying after conversion to a Billroth I configuration to determine whether dysmotility is improved or eliminated. Symptoms were completely resolved in 22 of the 26 surviving patients, with follow-up of 6 months to 4 years. None of the 26 patients have had any bilious vomiting postoperatively. Roux-en-Y stasis has been corrected when due to a mechanical problem (eg, strictures, marginal ulcers), although thus far normal gastric emptying has not been observed in all of these multiply surgically treated patients. Enterogastric reflux is common following most ulcer operations. Attempted correction of this problem may result in other difficulties, including delayed emptying due to Roux-en-Y stasis. The fact that most patients with enterogastric reflux are female suggests that this condition is related to disordered motility; therefore, vagal interruption and major gastric resections should be carefully considered to avoid future disabling problems.

Reported pressure ulcer prevention and management techniques by persons with spinal cord injury

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify factors that resulted in severe pressure ulcers in a community-based sample of 23 persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). Design: A correlational design was used. Subjects: Twenty men and three women, 57% with tetraplegia and 43% with paraplegia, participated. Adult participants with an ulcer of 12 weeks' duration or less were recruited from the plastic surgery clinic of a regional SCI center. Measures: A structured survey assessed demographic, SCI, and ulcer characteristics; detection method; immediacy and appropriateness of action; time from detection to clinic visit; number of prior ulcers; and knowledge and practice of ulcer prevention techniques. Ulcer characteristics (ie, location, size, and stage) were assessed by examination and compared with participants' descriptions of their ulcers. Results: Severe ulcers and ulcers that progressed in severity after initial detection were less accurately described by participants. Individuals who waited longer to come to the clinic presented with more severe ulcers. Taking immediate or appropriate action when an ulcer was detected was related to reported performance of more preventive behaviors. Contrary to expectation, immediacy and appropriateness of action, and knowledge and practice of preventive behaviors were unrelated to severity, progression of severity, and time from detection to the clinic visit. The findings suggest that educational programs should emphasize more strongly immediate visits to a physician upon detection of an ulcer. Furthermore, such educational models should be assessed for their effectiveness in reducing ulcers and preventing progression in severity once persons with SCI return to the community.

A foot risk classification system to predict diabetic amputation in Pima Indians.

To quantify the contribution of various risk factors to the risk of amputation in diabetic patients and to develop a foot risk scoring system based on clinical data. A population case-control study was undertaken. Eligible subjects were 1) 25-85 years of age, 2) diabetic, 3) 50% or more Pima or Tohono O'odham Indian, 4) lived in the Gila River Indian Community, and 5) had had at least one National Institutes of Health research examination. Case patients had had an incident lower extremity amputation between 1983 and 1992; control subjects had no amputation by 1992. Medical records were reviewed to determine risk conditions and health status before the pivotal event that led to the amputation. Sixty-one people with amputations were identified and compared with 183 control subjects. Men were more likely to suffer amputation than women (odds ratio [OR] 6.5, 95% CI 2.6-15), and people with diabetic eye, renal, or cardiovascular disease were more likely to undergo amputation than those without (OR 4.6, 95% CI 1.7-12). The risk of amputation was almost equally associated with these foot risk factors: peripheral neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, bony deformities, and a history of foot ulcers. After controlling for demographic differences and diabetes severity, the ORs for amputation with one foot risk factor was 2.1 (95% CI 1.4-3.3), with two risk factors, 4.5 (95% CI 2.9-6.9), and with three or four risk factors, 9.7 (95% CI 6.3-14.8). Male Sex, end-organ complications of eye, heart, and kidney, and poor glucose control were associated with a higher amputation rate. Peripheral neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, deformity, and a prior ulcer were similarly equally associated with an increased risk of lower extremity amputation.

Prophylactic aspirin and risk of peptic ulcer bleeding

To determine the risks of hospitalisation for bleeding peptic ulcer with the current prophylactic aspirin regimens of 300 mg daily or less. A case-control study with hospital and community controls. Hospitals in Glasgow, Newcastle, Nottingham, Oxford, and Portsmouth. 1121 patients with gastric or duodenal ulcer bleeding matched with hospital and community controls. 144 (12.8%) cases had been regular users of aspirin (taken at least five days a week for at least the previous month) compared with 101 (9.0%) hospital and 77 (7.8%) community controls. Odds ratios were raised for all doses of aspirin taken, whether compared with hospital or community controls (compared with combined controls: 75 mg, 2.3 (95% confidence interval 1.2 to 4.4); 150 mg, 3.2 (1.7 to 6.5); 300 mg, 3.9 (2.5 to 6.3)). Results were not explained by confounding influences of age, sex, prior ulcer history or dyspepsia, or concurrent non-aspirin non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use. Risks seemed particularly high in patients who took non-aspirin non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs concurrently. No conventionally used prophylactic aspirin regimen seems free of the risk of peptic ulcer complications.

Impact of therapeutic endoscopy on the treatment of bleeding duodenal ulcers: 1980-1990.

Therapeutic endoscopy (TE) has provided a new means for treating peptic ulcer disease, prompting a reevaluation of surgery's role. The aim of this study was to determine if surgical therapy of bleeding duodenal ulcers has changed since the advent of TE. This retrospective review involved consecutive time periods during which TE was (1985-1990) and was not (1980-1984) widely available. Exclusion criteria were prior gastric surgery, nonpeptic conditions, and untreated ulcers. Inclusion standards were met by 252 patients (180 men, 72 women) whose mean age was 67 years. Patients were grouped by the initial therapeutic intervention. Groups were similar in age, medical condition (mean APACHE II score 16), and morbidity. Seventy-five patients had surgery alone during 1980-1984 and 38 during 1985-1990. TE was initially performed on 134 patients during 1985-1990. Bleeding (n = 30) and perforation (n = 1) prompted emergent operation in 23% of cases following TE. Thus 69 (38 + 31) patients underwent surgery between 1985 and 1990. Preprocedure transfusions averaged 4.1 units in the endoscopic group and 8.2 units in the operative groups (p < 0.0001). Disagreement existed between the endoscopic and surgical descriptions of ulcer location in 53% of cases. Emergent surgery was required in 45% of hemodynamically unstable patients versus 14% of stable patients who initially underwent TE (p < 0.0001). Sixty-one percent of incompletely visualized TE-treated lesions required operation, and 18% of well visualized ulcers underwent operation (p < 0.0001). Hospital mortality was similar (8% versus 16%) in the endoscopic and operated groups (p = 0.7). Mean follow-up was 540 days.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Prospective multicentre study of risk factors associated with delayed healing of recurrent duodenal ulcers (RUDER). RUDER Study Group.

Risk factors for delayed duodenal ulcer healing during treatment with ranitidine (300 mg daily) were examined in a multicentre German study of 1923 patients with endoscopically proved, recurrent duodenal ulceration. Healing rates, per protocol, were 39.5% at two weeks, 70.9% at four weeks, and 93.2% at eight weeks. Prospective testing of five, predefined risk factors indicated that smoking (p = 0.0039) was associated with a decreased healing rate at two weeks. Frequent prior recurrence (p = 0.464), a heavy physical workload (p = 0.145), and psychological stress (p = 0.062) were not associated with a decreased healing rate and there were too few patients at risk to allow assessment of the effect of regular NSAID intake. Exploratory analysis identified prior slow healing, a large ulcer, multiple ulcers, and prior ulcer complications, in addition to smoking, as markers of slow healing. In the absence of these risk factors, the mean healing time was 3.3 weeks (95% confidence interval 3.0, 3.5), rising to 3.7 weeks (3.5, 3.9) for one, 4.4 weeks (4.1, 4.7) for two, and 5.1 weeks (4.5, 5.6) for three to five risk factors. Delayed duodenal ulcer healing is associated with multiple factors whose effect is cumulative; for patients with two or more of five easily identified risk factors, more than four weeks' treatment with a histamine H2 receptor antagonist is required to achieve ulcer healing.