GASTRODUODENAL DISEASES ON THE JOS PLATEAU, NIGERIA

Two hundred and forty-three Nigerian patients referred for endoscopy at the Jos University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria were studied. Their overall mean age was 37.7 years (so 12.7), among those with ulcers it was 38.4 years. The male:female ratio was equal in general, but among those with ulcers it was 2:1. Duodenal and gastric ulcers were found in 42(17.3%) and 12(4.9%) patients respectively, ratio of 3.5:1. There were 3 patients each with oesophageal and gastric carcinoma. Our findings do not support the belief that the savannah region of West Africa is an area of low prevalence of peptic ulcer disease. In the light of the importance of Helicobacter pylori infection in the pathogenesis of gastroduodenal diseases and the apparent discrepancy between its prevalence and that of associated diseases in the developing countries, there is a need to reappraise our traditional beliefs about the epidemiology of these diseases, using similar methods to those used in developed countries.