Patients With Perforated Peptic Ulcers: Risk Factors for Morbidity and Mortality

Perforated peptic ulcers continue to be an important problem in surgical practice. In this study, risk factors for peptic ulcer perforation-associated mortality and morbidity were evaluated. This is a retrospective study of patients surgically treated for perforated peptic ulcer over a decade (March 1999-December 2014). Patient age, sex, complaints at presentation, time lapse between onset of complaints and presentation to the hospital, physical findings, comorbidities, laboratory and imaging findings, length of hospitalization, morbidity, and mortality were recorded. The Mannheim peritonitis index (MPI) and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score were calculated and recorded for each patient on admission to the hospital. Of the 149 patients, mean age was 50.6 +/- 19 years (range: 17-86). Of these, 129 (86.5%) were males and 20 (13.4%) females. At least 1 comorbidity was found in 42 (28.1%) of the patients. Complications developed in 36 (24.1%) of the patients during the postoperative period. The most frequent complication was wound site infection. There was mortality in 26 (17.4%) patients and the most frequent cause of mortality was sepsis. Variables that were found to have statistically significant effects on morbidity included age older than 60 years, presence of comorbidities, and MPI (P = 0.029, 0.013, and 0.013, respectively). In a multivariate analysis, age older than 60 years, presence of comorbidities, and MPI were independent risk factors that affected morbidity. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, age older than 60 years [P = 0 .00 6 , odds ratio (OR) = 5.99, confidence interval (CI) = 0.95] and comorbidities (OR = 2.73, CI = 0.95) were independent risk factors that affected morbidity. MPI and APACHE II scoring were both predictive of mortality. Age older than 60, presentation time, and MPI were independent risk factors for mortality. Undelayed diagnosis and appropriate treatment are of the utmost importance when presenting with a perforated peptic ulcer. We believe close observation of high-risk patients during the postoperative period may decrease morbidity and mortality rates.