Authors' objectives: Bleeding peptic ulcer is an acute, life-threatening condition that requires hospital admission. A recent survey shows that in 2005, around 38 per 100 000 of the Swedish population suffered an episode of bleeding peptic ulcer. There is a marked increase with advancing age, regardless of gender. In those aged over 75 years, 170 people per 100 000 are affected annually. This rate is gradually decreasing, probably because the prevalence of the bacterium implicated in the development of peptic ulcer, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), is decreasing in the population. It is currently estimated that in Sweden, 7–10 people develop a bleeding peptic ulcer every day, and there is a death from the condition every two or three days. Although a bleeding peptic ulcer is a very common acute diagnosis in surgical units, acute medical units and emergency departments worldwide, there are many unanswered questions about how the condition should be managed and treated. The aim of this evaluation is to establish the scientific evidence base for the different treatments and combinations of treatment, and to highlight their ethical, social and health economic aspects.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2011

URL for published report: http://sbu.se/sv/Publicerat/Gul/Blodande-magsar/

URL for additional information: http://sbu.se/en/Published/Yellow/Bleeding-Peptic-Ulcer-/

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Sweden

Organisation Name: Swedish Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Assessment of Social Services

Contact Address: P.O. Box 3657, SE-103 59 Stockholm, Sweden. Tel: +46 8 4123200, Fax: +46 8 4113260

Contact Name: registrator@sbu.se

Contact Email: registrator@sbu.se

Copyright: <p>The Swedish Council on Health Technology Assessment (SBU)</p>