Trends in hospital admission, perforation and mortality of peptic ulcer in Hong Kong from 1970 to 1980

Abstract

During 1970-1980, admissions for peptic ulcers per 100,000 population to all government and government-assisted hospitals in Hong Kong increased by 21% from 152 to 185. At the same time, peptic ulcer perforations per 100,000 population increased by 71% from 9.3 to 15.9. The percentage of men greater than 60 yr of age with ulcer perforation rose from 18.1 to 24.4, while that in the general population rose from 2.9 to 3.9. However, the male/female ratio has remained stable at approximately 6:1. During the same period, mortality rate per 100,000 population due to peptic ulcer declined by 26% from 4.2 to 3.1. Thus, while the hospitalization and perforation rates for peptic ulcer appeared to be falling in the United States and the United Kingdom over the past decade, the opposite has occurred in Hong Kong.