The Genetics of Peptic Ulcer

Abstract

Non-malignant ulceration of the stomach and duodenum was, until relatively recently, considered to be one disease and was known by the all-embracing term peptic ulcer. Evidence from several sources tends to support the idea that even the broad divisions of gastric and duodenal ulcer may themselves be the end results of multiple separate disease processes. Genetic studies have helped considerably in the characterisation of these individual conditions.

Key Words:

• Gastric ulcer
• Duodenal ulcer
• Genetic heterogeneity
• Serum pepsinogens
• HLA