Abstract
This study examined time trends in the incidence of peptic ulcers and oesophagitis, and the prescription of acid-inhibiting drugs in the period 1994–2003. Data were retrieved from records in general practices in Flanders, Belgium. The incidence of duodenal ulcers decreased by two-thirds and the incidence of gastric ulcers halved, the incidence of oesophagitis initially increased and decreased slowly later on. In 10 years the proportion of patients taking proton-pump inhibitors rose sixfold while the proportion taking H2 antagonists remained stable.
- Received June 19, 2006.
- Revision received July 28, 2006.
- Accepted October 25, 2006.
- © British Journal of General Practice, 2007.