Abstract
Background factors and healing process of intractable gastric ulcers which were resistant to various anti-ulcer drugs including H2-blockers were studied in comparison with tractable gastric ulcers. Effectiveness and adverse effects of H2-blockers on intractable gastric ulcers were also investigated. Male was predominat in both types of gastric ulcers. Male to female ratio in intractable gastric ulcers 6/1 whereas that in tractable ones was 2/1, respectively. No significant differences between the two types of ulcers were found in the age distribution, location, number, endoscopical findings of gastric ulcers, presence or absence of duodenal ulcers, and other complications. However, ulcers at the gastric angle, with surrounding edge or with complications were relatively predominant in intractable gastric ulcer group. H2-blockers did not seem to significantly affect the healing process of intractable gastric ulcers although the curerate increased when these ulcers were treated with different types of H2-blockers instead of a single one. As an adverse effect of H2-blockers, a higher incidence of candida infection that may contribute to ulcer persistence progression was found in intractable gastric ulcers and careful use of these drugs, especially, in intractable gastric ulcers is suggested.
