Peptic ulcer is considered to be one of the representative psyhosomatic diseases in the digestive organ, for psychological stress is involved in its etiology, treatment and pathophysiology. From the accmulated data on the psychosomatic investigation of peptic ulcer which was conducted at the Third Medical Department of the Tohoku University School of Medicine, the following conclusions were obtained.1) Etiology Although psychological stress acts as a causal factor in the occurrence of peptic ulcer, it is important to take into consideration such factors as the organological weakness, patient's character, mode of life and living techniques, etc. By which the patient reacts to the said stress.2) TherapyIt is very important to understand the necessity of a psychosomatic approach to the treatment of peptic ulcer. For this aim, it is mandatory for the psysician to be able to establish and maintain a trustful relationship with the patient.3) Recurrence and flare-up of peptic ulcerPsychological stress is involved in the recurrence and flare-up of peptic ulcer. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the nature of the psychological stress and to educate the patient so as not to make the stresser to be stressful in his daily life.
