In duodenal ulcer (synonyms: Acute duodenal ulcer; duodenal erosion; duodenal ulcer; duodenal mucosal erosion; duodenal ulcer; Helicobacter pylori infection in duodenal ulcer; postpyloric peptic ulcer; peptic ulcer duodeni); nausea; ICD-10 K26.-: Ulcus duodeni) is an ulcer (ulcer) in the area of the duodenum. There it is usually located in the area of the bulbus duodeni (upper part of the duodenum).
Duodenal ulcer, together with ventricular ulcer, belongs to the group of gastrointestinal ulcer diseases. Duodenal ulcer is four times more common than ventricular ulcer. Together, they are among the most common diseases of the digestive tract.
In approximately 75% of cases, infection with the Gram-negative, microaerophilic rod-shaped bacterium Helicobacter pylori is detectable in the affected individuals. It is estimated that every second adult worldwide is infected with the bacterium.
Sex ratio: males to females is 3: 1.
Peak incidence: The disease occurs predominantly between the ages of 30 and 50.
The prevalence (disease incidence) is 1.4% (in Germany). The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in Germany ranges from 3% (children) to 48% (adults).
The incidence (frequency of new cases) is about 150 cases per 100,000 inhabitants per year (in Germany). The tendency is decreasing.
Course and prognosis: With adequate therapy (usually pharmacotherapy (drug treatment)), cure rates are very high (> 90%). Duodenal ulcer is often recurrent (recurring). If left untreated, duodenal ulcers can cause bleeding or even perforate (break through; intestinal contents enter the abdominal cavity) through all layers of the wall of the intestine, among other symptoms.
