epidemiology

Last reviewed 12/2022

Perforated peptic ulcer occurs in men more then women and has its highest incidence in the 40 to 60 year age groups.

Other epidemiological points of note:

• often associated with NSAIDs or steroid treatment in patients with peptic ulcer disease
• more rarely associated with stress such as trauma and major burns
• perforations of duodenal ulcers are three times more common than gastric ulcer perforations
• gastric ulcer perforations are:
• uncommon
• most common in the elderly
• in a third due to perforation of a gastric carcinoma
• oesophageal peptic ulcers are a very rare cause of peptic ulcer perforation