Psychosocial factors associated with peptic ulcer in aged persons

The relationship between psychosocial factors and the occurrence and aggrav ation of peptic ulcer was studied in elderly people. Thirty-nine (14 male) ulcer patients and 79 (30 male) elderly people aged 65 years and over and l iving in the community were tested. Information on health status, medicatio n, lifestyle, and psychosocial status was obtained by means of interviews u sing a questionnaire and from the clinical records of the ulcer patients. T he same questionnaire was distributed to the residents. Logistic regression analysis adjusting for age disclosed that peptic ulcer was significantly a ssociated with having an occupation and low exercise practice in men. Howev er, the relationship weakened below statistical significance after adjustin g for some physical risk factors besides age Low education was significant but low instrumental support fell short of statistical significance with pe ptic ulcer in women even after adjustment for several physical risk factors besides age. Thus, the specific psychosocial factors might be independentl y associated with the occurrence and aggravation of peptic ulcer in at leas t elderly women.