Peptic ulcer bleeding in the elderly: relative roles of Helicobacter pylori and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Background-Most ulcers are caused, one can deduce, by Helicobcter pylori or by use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Whether both together are worse than one alone is something that is quite unknown. Aim-To study both factors in order to see whether they interact together positively. Method-A case control study of ulcer bleeding in elderly patients chosen without weeding. Results-NSAID usage increased risk substantially. So did H pylori infection (but relative risk less than three). Neither seemed to interact. Their actions were discretely intact. Conclusion-H pylori effects ulcer bleeding in an adverse manner but does not make the risk of NSAIDs worse.