ABSTRACT
Peptic ulcer disease affects approximately 10% of the population of western countries. The incidence of duodenal ulcer (DU) is four to five times higher than that of gastric ulcer (GU). Up to 1 million of the UK population suffer from peptic ulceration in a 12-month period. Its aetiology is not well understood, but there are four major factors of known importance:
1. acid-pepsin secretion; 2. mucosal resistance to attack by acid and pepsin; 3. non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); 4. the presence of Helicobacter pylori.
