Duodenal ulcer in China.

The author visited China in 1981 and 1984 and obtained data comparing the incidence of duodenal ulcer in the rice eating districts of the south with the incidence in the wheat, maize and millet eating areas of the north. The evidence suggested a higher prevalence of duodenal ulcer in the rice eating areas than in the wheat eating areas, and a low prevalence in association with millet eating. However, the differences were less marked than between similar rice and wheat eating areas of India. It is suggested that the lower prevalence of duodenal ulcer in the wheat eating areas of north India compared with the rice eating areas of south India may be due in part to the mucosal protective effect of wheat bran in the unrefined wheat that is used in making chappatis. In China white refined flour is used in the making of steamed bread with the loss of any protective effect of wheat bran.