Changes in the Localization of Perforated Peptic Ulcer and its Relation to Gender and Age of the Patients throughout the Last 45 Years

BACKGROUND: Throughout recent decades there has been noticeable change in the incidence of peptic ulcer disease and its complications. The aim of the present study was to determine the character of changes over the last 45 years in the localization of perforation, in patient age, and in patient gender. METHODS: A group of 881 patients admitted to the Second Department of General Surgery in Krakow, Poland, from 1962 to 2006 were included in the study and constituted the material for the analysis. The study was divided into three time periods (1962–1976, 1977–1991, and 1992–2006) to allow statistical analysis of trends. RESULTS: The general incidence of perforations of peptic ulcer did not show changes; however, the percentage of women with perforated duodenal ulcer markedly increased. Patients with perforated stomach ulcer—regardless of gender—and females suffering from perforated duodenal ulcer were, on the average, about 10 years older than males with perforated duodenal ulcers. The mean age of male and female patients with perforated duodenal ulcer over the last 45 years showed an insignificant upward trend. CONCLUSIONS: (1) The percentage of women with perforated duodenal ulcer continuously and statistically significantly rose. (2) Men with perforated duodenal ulcer were significantly younger than other patients. (3) The mean ages of male and female patients with perforated duodenal ulcer over the last 45 years showed an insignificant upward trend.