Peptic ulcer in the aged; a clinical and post-mortem study

Summary

While it is generally accepted that chronic peptic ulcer occurs in the aged and that such patients die from the complication of hemorrhage and perforation of a chronic ulcer, this study directs attention to the occurrence of acute peptic ulcers in the aged. Such acute ulcers may become chronic, but more often they result in acute hemorrhage and perforation causing the death of the patient. Such acute ulcers may be primary, or secondary in association with acute febrile disease, gall bladder disease, operative procedure, or cardiac failure. Factors which may be contributory to the genesis of peptic ulcers are discussed.