[Gastric ulcer and Helicobacter pylori in the elderly population].

Recently, the incidence of gastric ulcer in Japanese elderly people has been increasing and the number of deaths associated with gastric ulcer has not decreased. Helicobacter pylori infection rates in elderly patients with gastric ulcer are lower than those in non-elderly patients. NSAIDs including aspirin and many other factors influence the development of gastric ulcer. Gastric ulcers occur in the upper part of the stomach and often bleed. In addition, elderly patients tend to have no abdominal symptoms other than bleeding. According to guidelines, endoscopic hemostasis is performed in cases with active bleeding. Eradication therapy is recommended for elderly patients as for as non-elderly patients, and antacids are administered to patients who are negative for H. pylori or have a relapse of ulcers.