The Factors Influencing the Risk of Perforation in Patients with Peptic Ulcers: A Cross-Sectional Study from Central Iraq

The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors that influence the perforation, regardless of the presence of H. pylori infection, in a sample of Iraqi patients with peptic ulcers, admitted to Al-Kindy Teaching Hospital. A total of 90 patients who had perforated peptic ulcer participated in this study. The diagnosis was based on history, clinical examination, laboratory and radiological investigations and was confirmed intraoperatively. A number of probable risk factors for perforation were investigated. Eighty participants were males and 10 were females (male to female ratio 8:1). About 42.2% of patients were in their fifth decade of life. Forty-nine (54.4%) patients were asymptomatic before perforation occurred. Among the risk factors, smoking (66.7%), stress (60%) and blood group A (53.3%) play a significant risk for the occurrence of perforation. We concluded that smoking, stress, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and to a lesser extent fasting and blood group A, play a major role as risk factors for the occurrence of peptic ulcer perforation. Other factors seem to play a minor role in this respect.