Peptic ulcer disease in older age groups in Gothenburg in 1985: the association with smoking

Abstract

The prevalences of peptic ulcer and smoking were assessed by a questionnaire sent to 6726 residents of Gothenburg selected at random from the birth cohorts 1945, -35, -25, -15, and -05. The point prevalence of peptic ulcer was in all age groups significantly higher among smokers than among non-smokers. The incidence of peptic ulcer in 1985 was deduced from records of ulcers detected at gastroscopy and/or radiography and/or emergency surgery (n = 1402). Smoking habits and previous episodes of peptic ulcer disease were evaluated. The estimated risk of getting peptic ulcer was significantly higher among smokers in all age groups and of both sexes than among non-smokers. Among non-smokers the risk of getting peptic ulcer was significantly higher in men than in women, whereas the risk among smokers showed no sex difference. In people aged 35-84 years, 25.4% (n = 101) of ulcers diagnosed for the first time and 42.0% (n = 246) of relapsing ulcers were estimated to be caused by smoking. The number of smoking years, however, could not be shown to influence the risk of peptic ulcer.