Gastric Ulcer Complications after the Introduction of Proton Pump Inhibitors into Clinical Routine: 20-Year Experience.

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the admissions and the management of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) in a tertiary care surgical center.

Methods: We evaluated the medical records of all patients admitted to the University Hospital of Tübingen, Germany, for treatment of PUD during 1989-2008. Patients were included into the study if the diagnosis was verified endoscopically or surgically. Annual number of admissions, length of hospitalization, mortality rate, age, rate of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) medication, rate of infection, and complications of PUD and surgery performed were recorded. Data were analyzed by descriptive analyses, Pearson's chi-square test, and regression analysis.

Results: This study included 614 admissions. The number of annual admissions (31 ± 12), the length of hospitalization (9 ± 3 days), and the mortality rate (5 ± 4% per year) remained constant, whereas the age increased (1989: 52 ± 14 years vs. 2008: 67 ± 16 years). The rates of patients with infection (47 ± 28% per year), NSAIDs treatment (29 ± 15% per year), and PPI treatment (31 ± 27% per year) remained constant. The most frequent PUD complication was hemorrhage (42 ± 16% per year), followed by perforation (9 ± 8% per year). During 1999-2008, more hemorrhages (125 vs. 121; p < 0.05) and perforations (40 vs. 21; p < 0.05) were registered than during 1989-1998. The rate of emergency surgery increased from 70% during 1989-1998 to 87% during 1999-2008. In contrast, elective surgery decreased from 21% during 1989-1998 to 7% during 1999-2008. Ulcer excision and oversewing was the most frequent surgical procedure performed (59%), with decreasing rates of acid-reducing surgery.

Conclusion: Despite recent advances in PUD management, ulcer hemorrhage and perforation remain a significant health burden and a surgical disease.