Decline in duodenal ulcer surgery
M. P. Smith
The number of perforated duodenal ulcers at five Seattle-area hospitals and
all duodenal ulcer operations performed at three Seattle-area hospitals
were studied. In the past ten years, a decline of 35% in both perforated
duodenal ulcers and all duodenal ulcer surgery indicates a similar decline
in the overall incidence of duodenal ulcer. These data are supported by
articles in the literature, which report a declining incidence of duodenal
ulcer beginning around 1955 and continuing for 20 years. This decline
challenges the idea that duodenal ulcer results chiefly from the stresses
of urbanization.
