Prevalence and risk factors of asymptomatic peptic ulcer disease in Taiwan

AIM:To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of asymptomatic peptic ulcer disease(PUD)in a general Taiwan Residents population. METHODS:From January to August 2008,consecutive asymptomatic subjects undergoing a routine health check-up were evaluated by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.Gastroduodenal mucosal breaks were carefully assessed,and a complete medical history and demographic data were obtained from each patient.Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify indepen-dent risk factors for asymptomatic PUD. RESULTS:Of the 572 asymptomatic subjects,54(9.4%) were diagnosed as having PUD.The prevalence of gastric ulcer,duodenal ulcer and both gastric and duodenal ulcers were 4.7%,3.9%,and 0.9%,respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that prior history of PUD [odds ratio(OR),2.0,95%CI:1.3-2.9],high body mass index[body mass index(BMI)25-30:OR,1.5,95%CI: 1.0-2.2;BMI>30 kg/m 2 :OR,3.6,95%CI:1.5-8.7] and current smoker(OR,2.6,95%CI:1.6-4.4)were independent predictors of asymptomatic PUD.In contrast, high education level was a negative predictor of PUD (years of education 10-12:OR,0.5,95%CI:0.3-0.8; years of education>12:OR,0.6,95%CI:0.3-0.9). CONCLUSION:The prevalence of PUD in asymptomatic subjects is 9.4%in Taiwan.Prior history of PUD, low education level,a high BMI and current smoker are independent risk factors for developing asymptomatic PUD.