Peptic ulceration

Abstract

A peptic ulcer is the final morphological result of the interplay between the aggressive acidpeptic forces and the mucosal resistance to ulceration. Whilst acid attack is a marked feature of duodenal ulcer (DU), impaired mucosal resistance appears to be more important for gastric ulcer (GU). The discovery of Helicobacter pylori (HP), and the introduction of H2 receptor antagonists, and more lately proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), has resulted in a dramatic decrease in the need for surgical intervention.