The Factors Influencing the Risk of Perforation in Patients with Peptic Ulcers: A Cross-Sectional Study from Central Iraq

Abstract

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors that influence the perforation, regardless of the presence of H. pylori infection, in a sample of Iraqi patients with peptic ulcers, admitted to Al-Kindy Teaching Hospital. A total of 90 patients who had perforated peptic ulcer participated in this study. The diagnosis was based on history, clinical examination, laboratory and radiological investigations and was confirmed intraoperatively. A number of probable risk factors for perforation were investigated. Eighty participants were males and 10 were females (male to female ratio 8:1). About 42.2% of patients were in their fifth decade of life. Forty-nine (54.4%) patients were asymptomatic before perforation occurred. Among the risk factors, smoking (66.7%), stress (60%) and blood group A (53.3%) play a significant risk for the occurrence of perforation. We concluded that smoking, stress, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and to a lesser extent fasting and blood group A, play a major role as risk factors for the occurrence of peptic ulcer perforation. Other factors seem to play a minor role in this respect.