Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (997 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
Ulcer that occurs in the regions of the gastrointestinal tract which come into contact with gastric juice containing pepsin and gastric acid. It occurs when there are defects in the mucosa barrier. The common forms of peptic ulcers are associated with helicobacter pylori and the consumption of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nsaids).
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Peptic Ulcers; Ulcer, Peptic; Ulcers, Peptic; Gastroduodenal Ulcer; Gastroduodenal Ulcers; Ulcer, Gastroduodenal; Ulcers, Gastroduodenal; Marginal Ulcer.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Duodenal Diseases; Stomach Diseases
- Narrower topics
- Duodenal Ulcer; Esophagitis, Peptic; Peptic Ulcer Perforation; Stomach Ulcer; Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
- See also
- Anti-Ulcer Agents; Gastrectomy; Peptic Ulcer Hemorrhage; Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
Related concepts
- Gastrointestinal Tract
- Gastric Juice
- Pepsin
- Gastric Acid
- Mucous Membrane
- Helicobacter Pylori
- Nsaids
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 82,024 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Peptic Ulcer” (counts retrieved 2026-11-04). 2,938 of them (3.6%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is through 1999 with 63,888 records.
Reviews account for 7,159 records (8.7%) and meta-analyses for 325. Randomized controlled trials number 2,984 (3.6%) as a share of all records on the topic.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 63,888 |
| 2000-2009 | 9,123 |
| 2010-2019 | 6,075 |
| 2020 onward | 2,938 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 7,159 | 8.7% |
| Meta-analyses | 325 | 0.4% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 2,984 | 3.6% |
Method: PubMed query "Peptic Ulcer"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-11-04.
Reading the evidence in digestive system and liver
Gut and liver research ranges from laboratory studies of the microbiome to large trials of drugs and surgery. Symptoms such as pain, reflux or bowel change are reported by patients and overlap between conditions, and diet and microbiome studies are mostly observational. Check whether the study measured symptoms, tissue findings or long-term outcomes, how the diagnosis was made and how long people were followed. Nothing here replaces advice from a qualified clinician.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
The global, regional, and national patterns of change in the burden of nonmalignant upper gastrointestinal diseases from 1990 to 2019 and the forecast for the next decade [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundNonmalignant upper gastrointestinal diseases, including peptic ulcer disease (PUD), gastritis and duodenitis (GD), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), significantly challenge global healthcare.
- Closing excerpt
- This targeted approach is essential for effectively mitigating the disease burden.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (320 words)
BackgroundNonmalignant upper gastrointestinal diseases, including peptic ulcer disease (PUD), gastritis and duodenitis (GD), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), significantly challenge global healthcare. These conditions not only impact patient health but also highlight socioeconomic development issues and healthcare system accessibility and efficiency. Utilizing the Global Burden of Disease database, this study aims to comprehensively assess the global burden of PUD, GD, and GERD, examining their association with the sociodemographic index (SDI).MethodsEmploying data from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 database, this study analyzed the disability-adjusted life years for PUD, GD, and GERD. We integrated the SDI with the inequality slope index and concentration index for an international health inequality analysis, assessing disparities in the burden of these nonmalignant upper gastrointestinal diseases. Decomposition analysis was conducted to determine the effects of population growth, aging, and epidemiological change on disease burden. Frontier analysis was performed to identify potential improvement areas and disparities among countries by development status. Disease time trends were depicted using a Joinpoint regression model, and the Bayesian age-period-cohort model projected the disease burden up to 2030.ResultsBetween 1990 and 2019, the age-standardized disability-adjusted life years rates for nonmalignant upper gastrointestinal diseases declined. However, global geographic heterogeneity remained evident and closely linked to the SDI. Notably, low-SDI countries experienced higher disease burdens. Population growth and aging emerged as principal contributors to the increasing disease burden. Despite development levels, many countries have considerable potential for reducing the burden of these diseases. Furthermore, significant variations in the time trends of nonmalignant upper gastrointestinal diseases were observed among countries and regions with different SDI levels, a pattern expected to continue through 2030.ConclusionNonmalignant upper gastrointestinal diseases demonstrate notable heterogeneity across age, sex, and geography, with the disparities most marked in underdeveloped regions or countries. Consequently, it is imperative to focus research on policy development and to enact prevention and treatment strategies tailored to high-risk groups. This targeted approach is essential for effectively mitigating the disease burden.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 38959095 · DOI · PMC11745775
Randomised clinical trial: 3-year interim analysis results of the VISION trial to evaluate the long-term safety of vonoprazan as maintenance treatment in patients with erosive oesophagitis [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundVISION is a randomised, phase 4, open-label, parallel-group, multicentre study conducted in 33 centres in Japan.
- Closing excerpt
- gov identifier: NCT02679508; JapicCTI-163153; Japan Registry of Clinical Trials: jRCTs031180040).
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (245 words)
BackgroundVISION is a randomised, phase 4, open-label, parallel-group, multicentre study conducted in 33 centres in Japan. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term safety of vonoprazan for maintenance treatment of healed erosive oesophagitis versus lansoprazole.MethodsPatients with endoscopically diagnosed erosive oesophagitis were randomised 2:1 to once-daily vonoprazan 20 mg or lansoprazole 30 mg, for a 4- to 8-week healing phase. Patients with endoscopically confirmed healing entered a 260-week maintenance phase with a once-daily starting dose of vonoprazan 10 mg or lansoprazole 15 mg. Primary endpoint was change in gastric mucosal histopathology.ResultsOf 208 patients (vonoprazan, n = 139; lansoprazole, n = 69) entering the healing phase, 202 entered the maintenance phase (vonoprazan, n = 135; lansoprazole, n = 67). At 3 years, 109 vonoprazan-treated and 58 lansoprazole-treated patients remained on treatment. Histopathological evaluation of gastric mucosa showed that hyperplasia of parietal, foveolar and G cells was more common with vonoprazan than lansoprazole at week 156 of the maintenance phase. There was no marked increase in the occurrence of parietal, foveolar and G cell hyperplasia among patients in the vonoprazan group from week 48 to week 156. Histopathological evaluation of the gastric mucosa also showed no neoplastic changes in either group. No new safety issues were identified.ConclusionsIn this interim analysis of VISION, no new safety concerns were identified in Japanese patients with healed erosive oesophagitis receiving vonoprazan or lansoprazole as maintenance treatment for 3 years. (CT.gov identifier: NCT02679508; JapicCTI-163153; Japan Registry of Clinical Trials: jRCTs031180040).
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 37127558 · DOI · PMC10152792
East Asian-specific and cross-ancestry genome-wide meta-analyses provide mechanistic insights into peptic ulcer disease [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) refers to acid-induced injury of the digestive tract, occurring mainly in the stomach (gastric ulcer (GU)) or duodenum (duodenal ulcer (DU)).
- Closing excerpt
- Our results provide genetic evidence that gastrointestinal cell differentiations and hormone regulations are critical in PUD etiology.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (150 words)
Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) refers to acid-induced injury of the digestive tract, occurring mainly in the stomach (gastric ulcer (GU)) or duodenum (duodenal ulcer (DU)). In the present study, we conducted a large-scale, cross-ancestry meta-analysis of PUD combining genome-wide association studies with Japanese and European studies (52,032 cases and 905,344 controls), and discovered 25 new loci highly concordant across ancestries. An examination of GU and DU genetic architecture demonstrated that GUs shared the same risk loci as DUs, although with smaller genetic effect sizes and higher polygenicity than DUs, indicating higher heterogeneity of GUs. Helicobacter pylori (HP)-stratified analysis found an HP-related host genetic locus. Integrative analyses using bulk and single-cell transcriptome profiles highlighted the genetic factors of PUD being enriched in the highly expressed genes in stomach tissues, especially in somatostatin-producing D cells. Our results provide genetic evidence that gastrointestinal cell differentiations and hormone regulations are critical in PUD etiology.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 38036781 · DOI · PMC10703676
The burden of peptic ulcer disease in China, 1990-2021: update from the GBD 2021 study [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundPeptic ulcer disease (PUD) remains a significant digestive health concern in China, influenced by factors such as Helicobacter pylori infection, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use and demographic changes.
- Closing excerpt
- Continued reductions in PUD burden may benefit from sustained tobacco control and targeted prevention strategies for high-risk populations, while accounting for the challenges posed by population ageing.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (282 words)
BackgroundPeptic ulcer disease (PUD) remains a significant digestive health concern in China, influenced by factors such as Helicobacter pylori infection, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use and demographic changes. A comprehensive assessment of its long-term burden is crucial for public health planning.MethodsUsing data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study, we analysed incidence, mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of PUD in China from 1990 to 2021. Estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) were calculated to assess temporal trends. Decomposition analysis was applied to quantify the contributions of population ageing, population growth and epidemiological changes to changes in absolute burden. In addition, a Bayesian age-period-cohort model was used to project trends from 2022 to 2035.ResultsFrom 1990 to 2021, the age-standardized incidence rate of PUD in China decreased by 54.9% (EAPC = -2.85), the age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) decreased by 73.7% (EAPC = -4.17) and the age-standardized DALY rate decreased by 77.1% (EAPC = -4.68). Despite these declines, the absolute burden remained substantial among adults aged ≥55 years. Males consistently experienced a higher burden than females. Smoking was identified as the only risk factor quantified in the GBD attribution framework for PUD. Decomposition analysis indicated that epidemiological changes accounted for the largest relative share of the observed decline, whereas population ageing partially offset these reductions. Model-based projections suggest that age-standardized rates may continue to decline through 2035, assuming recent trends persist.ConclusionsAlthough the age-standardized burden of PUD in China has declined markedly over the past three decades, the absolute burden remains considerable, particularly among older adults and males. Continued reductions in PUD burden may benefit from sustained tobacco control and targeted prevention strategies for high-risk populations, while accounting for the challenges posed by population ageing.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41762041 · DOI · PMC12951679
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Role of Helicobacter pylori infection and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in peptic-ulcer disease: a meta-analysis [5]
- Research article Perforated and bleeding peptic ulcer: WSES guidelines [6]
- Research article Meta-analysis of risk factors for peptic ulcer. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, Helicobacter pylori, and smoking [7]
- Research article Corticosteroids and peptic ulcer: meta-analysis of adverse events during steroid therapy [8]
- Research article Effects of gastroprotectant drugs for the prevention and treatment of peptic ulcer disease and its complications: a meta-analysis of randomised trials [9]
- Research article Diagnosis and Treatment of Peptic Ulcer Disease [10]
References
- Bai Z, Wang H, Shen C, An J, Yang Z, Mo X. The global, regional, and national patterns of change in the burden of nonmalignant upper gastrointestinal diseases from 1990 to 2019 and the forecast for the next decade. . 2025. PMID 38959095 · DOI · PMC11745775
- Haruma K, Kinoshita Y, Yao T, Kushima R, Akiyama J, Aoyama N, et al.. Randomised clinical trial: 3-year interim analysis results of the VISION trial to evaluate the long-term safety of vonoprazan as maintenance treatment in patients with erosive oesophagitis. . 2023. PMID 37127558 · DOI · PMC10152792
- He Y, Koido M, Sutoh Y, Shi M, Otsuka-Yamasaki Y, Munter HM, et al.. East Asian-specific and cross-ancestry genome-wide meta-analyses provide mechanistic insights into peptic ulcer disease. . 2023. PMID 38036781 · DOI · PMC10703676
- Guo BC, Niu GM, Li YH. The burden of peptic ulcer disease in China, 1990-2021: update from the GBD 2021 study. . 2026. PMID 41762041 · DOI · PMC12951679
- Huang JQ, Sridhar S, Hunt RH. Role of Helicobacter pylori infection and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in peptic-ulcer disease: a meta-analysis. Lancet. 2002. PMID 11809181 · DOI
- Tarasconi A, Coccolini F, Biffl WL, Tomasoni M, Ansaloni L, Picetti E, et al.. Perforated and bleeding peptic ulcer: WSES guidelines. World J Emerg Surg. 2020. PMID 31921329 · DOI · PMC6947898
- Kurata JH, Nogawa AN. Meta-analysis of risk factors for peptic ulcer. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, Helicobacter pylori, and smoking. J Clin Gastroenterol. 1997. PMID 9013343 · DOI
- Conn HO, Poynard T. Corticosteroids and peptic ulcer: meta-analysis of adverse events during steroid therapy. J Intern Med. 1994. PMID 7989897 · DOI
- Scally B, Emberson JR, Spata E, Reith C, Davies K, Halls H, et al.. Effects of gastroprotectant drugs for the prevention and treatment of peptic ulcer disease and its complications: a meta-analysis of randomised trials. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2018. PMID 29475806 · DOI · PMC5842491
- Kavitt RT, Lipowska AM, Anyane-Yeboa A, Gralnek IM. Diagnosis and Treatment of Peptic Ulcer Disease. Am J Med. 2019. PMID 30611829 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-11-04; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-11-04.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.