Clinical and Physiologic Implications of the Steroid-Induced Peptic Ulcer

Abstract

STRESS and anxiety figure prominently in the background of peptic ulcer. The increased frequency of peptic ulcer after the administration of steroids appeared to justify speculation that the link between anxiety and peptic ulcer might be the adrenal glands. This paper will consider the clinical characteristics of the steroid ulcer and the physiologic and pharmacologic background for any such concept. The term "steroid ulcer" will be used to mean an ulcer of the stomach or duodenum that first becomes manifest during steroid therapy.Clinical AspectsHow frequent are steroid ulcers? Although the incidence of peptic ulcer in the general population . . .