Stress was measured by the frequency of 31 major life events with consequent change and distress scores in 50 patients with chronic gastric ulcer and 50 control subjects, matched for age, sex and place of residence. The gastric ulcer population did not differ from the control population regarding the number of events experienced and the associated change and distress scores. However, when analysed according to social grade, the ulcer patients in the lower status suburbs experienced more events and more change than their controls, but the distress scores were similar. In the higher status suburbs, no difference was present between the patients and controls. Change and distress scores rose progressively with age, but there was no significant difference in the number of events experienced between the three age groups. Both men patients and their controls experienced significantly more events and higher change scores than women patients and their controls.