Brief Article
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World J Gastroenterol. Mar 7, 2011; 17(9): 1199-1203
Published online Mar 7, 2011. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i9.1199
Prevalence and risk factors of asymptomatic peptic ulcer disease in Taiwan
Fu-Wei Wang, Ming-Shium Tu, Guang-Yuan Mar, Hung-Yi Chuang, Hsien-Chung Yu, Lung-Chih Cheng, Ping-I Hsu
Fu-Wei Wang, Ming-Shium Tu, Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung City 80424, Taiwan, China
Guang-Yuan Mar, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung City 80424, Taiwan, China
Hung-Yi Chuang, Department of Community Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung City 80424, Taiwan, China
Hung-Yi Chuang, Faculty of Public Health, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City 80424, Taiwan, China
Hsien-Chung Yu, Lung-Chih Cheng, Ping-I Hsu, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital and National Yang-Ming University, Kaohsiung City 80424, Taiwan, China
Author contributions: Wang FW and Hsu PI contributed equally to this work; Wang FW, Yu HC, Cheng LC and Hsu PI performed the research; Wang FW, Tu MS, Mar GY and Hsu PI designed the research; Chuang HY analyzed the data; Wang FW and Hsu PI wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Ping-I Hsu, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital and National Yang-Ming University, 386 Ta-Chung 1st Road, Kaohsiung City 80424, Taiwan, China. williamhsup@yahoo.com.tw
Telephone: +886-7-3468233 Fax: +886-7-3468237
Received: September 1, 2010
Revised: October 26, 2010
Accepted: November 2, 2010
Published online: March 7, 2011
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of asymptomatic peptic ulcer disease (PUD) in a general Taiwanese population.

METHODS: From January to August 2008, consecutive asymptomatic subjects undergoing a routine health check-up were evaluated by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Gastroduodenal mucosal breaks were carefully assessed, and a complete medical history and demographic data were obtained from each patient. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify independent risk factors for asymptomatic PUD.

RESULTS: Of the 572 asymptomatic subjects, 54 (9.4%) were diagnosed as having PUD. The prevalence of gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer and both gastric and duodenal ulcers were 4.7%, 3.9%, and 0.9%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that prior history of PUD [odds ratio (OR), 2.0, 95% CI: 1.3-2.9], high body mass index [body mass index (BMI) 25-30: OR, 1.5, 95% CI: 1.0-2.2; BMI > 30 kg/m2: OR, 3.6, 95% CI: 1.5-8.7] and current smoker (OR, 2.6, 95% CI: 1.6-4.4) were independent predictors of asymptomatic PUD. In contrast, high education level was a negative predictor of PUD (years of education 10-12: OR, 0.5, 95% CI: 0.3-0.8; years of education > 12: OR, 0.6, 95% CI: 0.3-0.9).

CONCLUSION: The prevalence of PUD in asymptomatic subjects is 9.4% in Taiwan. Prior history of PUD, low education level, a high BMI and current smoker are independent risk factors for developing asymptomatic PUD.

Keywords: Asymptomatic; Endoscopy; Health check-up; Peptic ulcer disease