Article Sidebar
Article Details
Issue
Section
Articles
It is condition of in the journal that the authors assign copyright to the "Medical Journal of Zambia". To this effect all accompanying letters must contain the following statement: “The authors being the sole and legitimate holder of the copyright hereby transfer it to the Medical Journal of Zambia.
Main Article Content
A Cross-sectional Study on Factors Associated With Perforated Peptic Ulcer Disease in Adults Presenting to UTH, Lusaka
Abstract
Objective: To determine the various clinical and epidemiological factors associated with peptic ulcer perforation in adults at UTH.A pilot study for an impending broader controlled study.
Design: Ahospital-based cross-sectional study.
Participants: 35 adult patients all of whom were diagnosed at laparotomy as having perforated, benign peptic ulcers, confirmed histologically.
Setting: University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia.
Results: It was shown that there was a male preponderance (85.7%).The mean age was 39.9 years and the peak range to perforate was 16-45 years (68.6%). Most patients were Lusaka –based (82.8%), and came from a middle income background (62.8%). Clinically, the most frequent presenting complaint was abdominal pain (62.8%), and 57.2% of patients had symptoms lasting 24 hours or less. Furthermore, the commonest blood group was group O+(33.2%),with 40% confirming history of use of NSAIDs. 57% were regular alcohol drinkers and 34% were cigarette smokers. Also, a further 32% of patients were found to be HIV positive and 84.2% had no previous peptic ulcer history. Gastric perforations were by far the commonest anatomical site (82.8%) followed by duodenal (14.3%). Postoperative hospital stay prolonging 10 days was 51.4%, and 37% died after surgery.
Conclusion: Perforated peptic ulcers occur more in males below 45 years old, most of whom are middle income earners and Lusaka -based. A third of the study group tested positive for HIV and more than half confirmed being regular alcohol drinkers. About a third confirmed smoking cigarettes. The majority of patients denied history of previous peptic ulcer disease. Nearly half the group confirmed usage of NSAIDs and about a third were Blood group O+. Gastric perforations were in the greater majority with half the patients prolonging hospital stay for more than 10 days. Mortality following surgery was high (37%). A larger study group ought to be recruited for definitive conclusions to be made.
Design: Ahospital-based cross-sectional study.
Participants: 35 adult patients all of whom were diagnosed at laparotomy as having perforated, benign peptic ulcers, confirmed histologically.
Setting: University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia.
Results: It was shown that there was a male preponderance (85.7%).The mean age was 39.9 years and the peak range to perforate was 16-45 years (68.6%). Most patients were Lusaka –based (82.8%), and came from a middle income background (62.8%). Clinically, the most frequent presenting complaint was abdominal pain (62.8%), and 57.2% of patients had symptoms lasting 24 hours or less. Furthermore, the commonest blood group was group O+(33.2%),with 40% confirming history of use of NSAIDs. 57% were regular alcohol drinkers and 34% were cigarette smokers. Also, a further 32% of patients were found to be HIV positive and 84.2% had no previous peptic ulcer history. Gastric perforations were by far the commonest anatomical site (82.8%) followed by duodenal (14.3%). Postoperative hospital stay prolonging 10 days was 51.4%, and 37% died after surgery.
Conclusion: Perforated peptic ulcers occur more in males below 45 years old, most of whom are middle income earners and Lusaka -based. A third of the study group tested positive for HIV and more than half confirmed being regular alcohol drinkers. About a third confirmed smoking cigarettes. The majority of patients denied history of previous peptic ulcer disease. Nearly half the group confirmed usage of NSAIDs and about a third were Blood group O+. Gastric perforations were in the greater majority with half the patients prolonging hospital stay for more than 10 days. Mortality following surgery was high (37%). A larger study group ought to be recruited for definitive conclusions to be made.
