DEFINITION AND DESCRIPTIONDEFINITION AND DESCRIPTION
♥ Peptic ulcers are produced by an imbalance between the
gastro-duodenal mucosal defense mechanisms and damaging
forces of gastric acid and pepsin, combined with superimposed
injury from environmental or immunologic agents.
♥It is a focal or circumscribed defect in the mucosa
extending into the submucosa or deeper ,due to acid or
pepsin digestion
♥The mucous membrane lining the digestive tract erodes and
causes a gradual breakdown of tissue. This breakdown causes
a gnawing or burning pain in the upper middle part of the belly
(abdomen). www.medrockets.com
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EPIDEMIOLOGY
₪As many as 80% of ulcers are associated with Helicobacter
pylori, a spiral-shaped bacterium that lives in the acidic
environment of the stomach.
₪Ulcers can also be caused or worsened by drugs such as
aspirin and other NSAIDs.
₪Although H. pylori infection is usually contracted in
childhood, perhaps through food, water, or close contact with
an infected individual. usually doesn't cause problems in
childhood, if left untreated it can cause gastritis (the irritation
and inflammation of the lining of the stomach), peptic ulcer
disease, and even stomach cancer later in life.
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EPIDEMIOLOGY
₪Contrary to general belief, more peptic ulcers arise in the
duodenum (first part of the small intestine, just after the
stomach) than in the stomach.
₪Duodenal ulcers usually first occur between the ages of 30-50
years and are twice as common in men as in women.
₪ Stomach (or gastric) ulcers usually occur in people older than
60 years and are more common in women.
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EPIDEMIOLOGY
•It is one of the most prevalent GI diseases
•Commoner in males
•Peak age of occurrence for DU is 35years.
•Gastric ulcers usually occurs in the older age
group (45-65 years)
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LOCATIONS
•It can occur in any of these locations- lower
esophagus, stomach, duodenum, jejunum,
meckel’s diverticulum
•Mostly occur at/or near mucosa junctions e.g-
oesophago-gastric, antra-pyloric;pyloro-
duodenal ,gastrojejunostomy sites.
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RELEVANT ANATOMY
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PATHOGENESIS
•Peptic ulcer usually occurs as a result of
imbalance between noxious agents and the
gastro duodenal defence barrier
•These mechanisms prevent and repair injury
to the mucosa.It includes the following
–Mucus bicarbonate layer-bicarbonate and mucous
are produced by surface epithelium of the
stomach and duodenum
•It neutralizes diffusing H+ ions.
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CLASSIFICATION
₪Stomach (called gastric ulcer)
₪Duodenum (called duodenal ulcer)
₪Oesophagus (called Oesophageal ulcer)
Types of peptic ulcers:
₪Type I: Ulcer along the lesser curve of stomach
₪Type II: Two ulcers present - one gastric, one
duodenal
₪Type III: Prepyloric ulcer
₪Type IV: Proximal gastroesophageal ulcer
₪Type V: Anywhere
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ETIOLOGICAL FACTORS
ETIOLOGICAL FACTORS
•1.HELICOBACTER PYLORI
–Most important trigger for development of PUD
–Associated with 90% of DU and 75% of GU
–Mechanisms of ulcerogenesis includes
•Production of toxic products causing local injury-cytotoxins,
phospholipase, mucinase, urease, oxidase, catalase
•Colonization of the antrum with reduced somatostatin D cells
normally produced in the antrum, leading to stimulation of gastrin
and acid production
•Ammonia from urease activity creates an alkaline environment
which has a feedback effect for increased gastrin production
•H/pylori induced inflammatory reaction with cellular infiltration
and consequent epithelial damage.
☻The bacterium persists in the stomach for decades in
most people. Most individuals infected by H. pylori
will never experience clinical symptoms despite having
chronic gastritis. Approximately 10-20% of those
colonized by H. pylori will ultimately develop gastric
and duodenal ulcers. H. pylori infection is also
associated with a 1-2% lifetime risk of stomach cancer
and a less than 1% risk of gastric MALT lymphoma
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ETIOLOGICAL FACTORS
•2.NSAIDS
–It is the next most important factor in ulcer
pathogenesis after H/pylori
–Mechanisms of ulcerogenesis include
•Inhibition of mucosa prostaglandin synthesis by
suppressing COX-1 activity
•NSAIDs are weak acids that are able to migrate into
surface epithelial cells
•NSAIDs decrease the hydrophobicity of gastric mucus
which normally repels acid
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ETIOLOGY FACTORS
3. Increased gastric acid secretion
–This may result from the following
•Increased vagal stimulation from worry, anxiety, stress, alcohol
•Increased parietal cell mass-this may be genetic or acquired (e.g
gastrinoma)
•Hypercalcemia-stimulates increased gastrin secretion
4.Alcohol
stimulates increased acid production
Leaches out glycolipid under the mucus coat
5.Smoking
increases gastric acid production
decreases gastroduodenal PGH and HCO3 production
increases duodenogastric reflux
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ETIOLOGICAL FACTORS
•6.Ischemia
–Reduces the mucosa defence barrier
•7.Enterogastric bile reflux
–This occurs if the pyloric sphincter is incompetent
or following a gastrojejunostomy
–Bile acids and pancreatic secretions stimulate
gastrin release with increased acid output as well
as repair the mocosa barrier allowing acid back
diffusion
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PATHOLOGY
•Duodenal ulcer
–Most involve the first part of the duodenum
–May be anterior, posterior, antero-posterior(kissing
ulcer), anterosuperior, posterosuperior
–Anterior ulcers tend to perforate while posterior
ulcers tend to penetrate sometimes into large
vessels like the GD artery causing UGI bleeding
–Chronic ulcers may heal with fibrosis with extensive
cicatrisation leading to gastric outlet obstruction.
–They are not usually associated with malignancy
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PATHOLOGY
•Gastric ulcer
–Most are found in the lesser curvature especially
at the incisura angularis
–Tend to be larger than DU
–May also be complicated by perforation or
penetration
–Unlike DU,they tend to be more associated with
malignancy,which must be excluded in all cases.
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•You’re at risk for peptic ulcer disease if you:
•Are 50 years old or older.
•Diabetes may increase your risk of having H. pylori
•Drink alcohol excessively
•Smoke cigarettes or use tobacco.
•Have a family history of ulcer disease.
•You’re at risk for NSAID-induced ulcers if you:
•Are age 60 or older (your stomach lining becomes more fragile with age).
•Have had past experiences with ulcers and internal bleeding
•Take steroid medications, such as prednisone.
•Take blood thinners, such as warfarin.
•Consume alcohol or use tobacco on a regular basis.
•Experience certain side effects after taking NSAIDs, such as upset stomach and
heartburn.
•Take NSAIDs in amounts higher than recommended
•Take NSAIDs for long periods of time
•Stress does not cause an ulcer, but may be a contributing factor
•Chronic disorders such as liver disease, emphysema, rheumatoid arthritis may
increase vulnerability to ulcers
·Improper diet, irregular or skipped meals
·Type O blood (for duodenal ulcers) www.medrockets.com
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Clinical presentation
Symptoms
•Burning abdominal pain
•Haematemesis
•Melena
•Nausea or vomiting
•Unexplained weight loss
•Anorexia
•Abdominal fullness
Symptoms of H. pylori
•Abdominal pain
•Feeling of Fullness
•Indigestion
•Feeling very hungry 1 to 3
hours after eating
•Mild nausea
•Pain Starts 2/3 hours after
meals, or in the middle of
the night
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•Pain(most common presentation-90% of cases)
–Usually a gnawing or burning pain in the
epigastrum,intermittent and may radiate to the back.
–Pain may be aggravated by meals as in GU,or
aggravated by hunger and relieved by meals or
antacids(DU)
–Diurnal variation(DU)
•Vomiting
–More common in cases of gastric outlet obstruction
but may occur even in acute PUD exercebation
Gastric versus duodenal ulcer — Although there is much
overlap, symptoms of a gastric ulcer may be different than those of
a duodenal ulcer.
Duodenal ulcer — "Classic" symptoms of a duodenal ulcer
include burning, gnawing, aching, or hunger-like pain, primarily in
the upper middle region of the abdomen below the breastbone (the
epigastric region). Pain may occur or worsen when the stomach is
empty, usually two to five hours after a meal. Symptoms may
occur at night between 11 PM and 2 AM, when acid secretion
tends to be greatest.
Feel better when you eat or drink and then worse 1 or 2 hours later
(duodenal ulcer).
Gastric ulcer — Symptoms of a gastric ulcer typically include
pain soon after eating. Symptoms are sometimes not relieved by
eating or taking antacids.
Feel worse when you eat or drink (gastric ulcer)
INVESTIGATIONS
Upper GIT endoscopy
Barium meal
In all patients with “Alarming symptoms” endoscopy
is required.
Dysphagia.
Weight loss.
Vomiting.
Anorexia.
Hematemesis or Melena.
Test for diagnosing H.pylori
Urea breath test :by measuring the
amount of co
2
in exhaled breath.
Blood test: by identifying H.pylori
antibodies by ELISA test.
Stool test :stool sample tested with
H.pylori antigen and occult blood
Rapid urea test
Culture
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TREATMENT
GOALS OF TREATMENT
☻ lowering the amount of acid that stomach makes,
☻neutralizing the acid
☻ protecting the injured area so it can heal
☻ It's also very important to stop smoking and drinking alcohol
☻Prevent complications (bleeding, perforation, penetration,
obstruction)
☻Minimize recurrences
☻Reduce financial costs
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Treatment
•Medical management is the main stay of
treatment of uncomplicated peptic ulcer disease.
–Life style modification
–Neutralization of the acid: antacids e.g magnesium
trisilicate, Alumilium hydroxide
–Reduction of acid secretion-H2 receptor
blockers(cimetidine, ranitidine), proton pump
inhibitors(omeprazole, rabeprazole)
–H/pylori eradication therapy is currently the main stay
of treatment
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• Cimetidine
•.Histamine antagonists inhibit the action of histamine on
the acid-producing cells of the stomach and reduce
stomach acid
SIDE EFFECTS; it include constipation, diarrhea, fatigue,
headache, insomnia, muscle pain, and vomiting. Major
side effects include confusion and hallucinations,
gynacomastia (enlargement of the breasts); impotence.
•USES: it is used in treatment of duodenal ulcer,
Gastric ulcer, stress ulcer, GERD, zollinger ellison syndrome
Histamine antagonist
• Proton pump inhibitors act by irreversibly blocking
the hydrogen/potassium adenosine
triphosphatase enzyme system of the
gastric parietal cells.
•The proton pump is the terminal stage in gastric acid
secretion
•SIDE EFFECTS Stomach pain,
Diarrhea,Constipation,Dizziness,Pain,Hives,
Itching,seizures
• It selectively block M1 muscaranic
recptors and inhibits gastric secretion.
• Because of their relatively poor efficacy,
side effects, and risk of blood disorders,
they are rarely used today
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AGENTS THAT ENHANCE MUCOSAL DEFENSE
Prostaglandin Analogues:
prostaglandins are produced in the gastric
mucosa and appear to serve a protective role by
inhibiting acid secretion and promoting mucus
and bicarbonate secretion.
In addition, PGs inhibits gastrin production, increase
mucosal blood flow and probably have an ill defined
cytoprotective action.
DRUGS: Misoprostol
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ULCER PROTECTIVES
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SUCRALFATE
MECHANISM:
• Sucralfate is a locally acting substance that in an acidic environment
(pH < 4), reacts with hydrochloric acid in the stomach to form a
cross-linking, viscous, paste-like material capable of acting as an acid
buffer for as long as 6 to 8 hours after a single dose. It also attaches
to proteins on the surface of ulcers, such as albumin and fibrinogen,
to form stable insoluble complexes. These complexes serve as
protective barriers at the ulcer surface, preventing further damage
from acid, pepsin, and bile.
•USES: It is used in treatment of Gastritis, Stress ulcers
•Side effects
The most common side effects seen are constipation. Less commonly
reported include flatulence, cephalalgia (headache), xerostomia (dry
mouth).
Sodium bicarbonate (antacid)
It is water soluble, acts instantaneously, but
duration of action is short. It is a potent
neutralizer, pH may raises above 7.
Adverse reactions
It causes systemic alkalosis, gastric distention,
rebound acidity and milk-alkali syndrome
Uses
It is restricted to casual treatment of heartburn
and to treat acidosis
ANTI H.PYLORI DRUGS
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Anti microbials that have been found clinically
effective against H.pylori are: amoxicillin,
clarithromycin, tetracycline and metronidazole.
A combination regimen is preferred, using gastric
acid inhibitors and antibiotics. TRIPLE THERAPY
Example:
A proton pump inhibitor or H2 blocker +
amoxicillin + clarithromycin or metronidazole
Surgical Treatment
•The role of surgery has reduced significantly since
the advent of H/pylori eradication therapy
•Indicated only in intractable cases and in the
management of complications.
•Acid reducing procedures include
•Truncal vagotomy+drainage
•Selective vagotomy+drainage(preservation of the coeliac
and hepatic branches)
•Highly selective vagotomy-preservation of the nerve of
latarjet(no need for drainage)
•Vagotomy+antrectomy
•Bilroth 1 Partial gastrectomy
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Complications
•Upper gastrointestinal bleeding
•Perforation leading to peritonitis
•Penetration
•Gastric outlet obstruction
•Malignization
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