Patients with peptic ulcer and their knowledge of the factors influencing its development and course
Wdowiak, L.; Brodalko, B.; Rzepecka, B.
Wiadomosci Lekarskie 47(1-2): 8-12
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0043-5147 PMID: 8030356 Document Number: 437505
The study included 210 persons out of 941 (22.3%) patients of the Railway Health Service in the city of Lublin having peptic ulcer. A standard interview was obtained from them, making possible characterization of these persons and selected elements of their health situations, as well as recognition of the factors which, in the opinion of the responders, influenced the development and course of their disease. The first symptoms and signs of peptic ulcer were most frequently found at the age 16-29 years; in consecutive age groups, the per cent of newly diagnosed cases of this disease was decreasing. The study confirmed the more frequent incidence of peptic ulcer as well as earlier inset of this disease in men, as compared with women. Great per cent of persons evaluating their health condition as bad and very bad (48.2%) indicated that peptic ulcer was a significant health and social problem form persons having it. Lack of confidence in curability of peptic ulcer in almost half the responders led them to undertaking of treatment by methods not recommended by physicians, among others, methods included into the so called unconventional medicine. It was found that all patients with peptic ulcer had definite views on the factors causing it and influencing its course. The most negative influence on the health condition of the studied patients was, in their opinion, that of stress situations. This was evidenced by mentioning that factor directly or indirectly practically by all responders. The generally accepted negative influence of abnormal nourishment on peptic ulcer was mentioned only half the responders.