A Review of the Epidemiological Development of Peptic Ulcers and an Evaluation of Duodenal Ulcers in the Federal Republic of Germany Before and After Cimetidine

Abstract

In industrialized countries peptic ulcers are one of the “common diseases”. It is estimated that 10%–15% of men and 4%–10% of women develop active peptic ulcers at least once in their lifetimes. The majority of patients suffer from recurrent attacks of the disease during a period of 10–15 years. According to information contained in the clinical literature on the subject, in the past between 20% and 30% of sufferers from duodenal ulcer ultimately underwent surgery as a cure for the disease (Fry 1964; Krause 1963; Hafter 1978). Peptic ulcers can occur at any time of life, but 80% of cases occur during the period of active life (between the ages of 25 and 65 years), which brings out the social and economic significance of the disease.