PEPTIC ULCER DISEASE IN SINGAPORE WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO RACIAL DIFFERENCES

Abstract

This thesis is divided into four parts. The first part deals with epidemiological data, mainly evidence for racial differences in peptic ulcer frequency in Singapore. The second part of the thesis consists of studies on various patho-physiological mechanisms thought to be relevant in peptic ulcer disease and includes an assessment of possible racial differences in these mechanisms. The third part of the thesis contains two studies on duodenal ulcer management. The fourth part includes a discussion and summary. Two other studies are included in an appendix : a study on surgery for gastric cancer in Singapore, related to the study on peptic ulcer surgery; and a study on the influence of duodenal site on its subsequent course, performed in Sydney but related to the study on duodenal ulcer site and its mode of presentation.