Incidence and complications of peptic ulcer disease requiring hospitalisation have markedly decreased in Finland

BackgroundThe characteristics of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) are changing. AimTo evaluate time trends in the incidence of PUD and its complications in hospitalised patients at the beginning of the 21st century, drug therapies in out-patient care as a risk factor for recurrent PUD, and medication used by PUD patients compared with the background population. MethodsIn this retrospective epidemiologic cohort study, data from the years 2000-2008 came from The Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa, and the Finnish Care Register. All hospitalised adult patients with PUD in the capital region of Finland were included. The data were linked with nationwide Prescription Register of the Finnish Social Insurance Institution allowing detailed individual medicine purchase data. ResultsA total of 9951 peptic ulcers were detected among 8146 individual patients during the study period. The mean annual incidence of all peptic ulcers decreased from 121/100000 (95% CI: 117-125) in 2000-2002, to 79 (95% CI: 76-82) in 2006-2008 [Incidence rate ratio=0.62 (95% CI: 0.58-0.64), P<0.001 after age and sex adjustment]. Decrease in incidence was seen in all age groups and in both sexes. The overall rate of severe complications of PUD was reduced. One-year cumulative incidence of recurrent ulcers was 13%. Use of several drugs was associated with increased risk for recurrence. The purchases of various drugs were more common among PUD patients compared with background population. ConclusionsBoth the incidence and complication rates have markedly decreased during the study period. Recurrent peptic ulcer disease was associated with polypharmacy.