Stress-Induced Gastric Ulceration: Its Aetiology and Clinical Implications

Peptic ulceration is one of the common diseases in present-day society. The frequency of its occurrence is about 10% (1), and it occurs in about 1 % of the adult population during their lifetime (2,3). However, Weir (4) suggests that the prevalence of peptic ulceration in the general population is approximately 5% to 10%, with regional variations. These observations indicate that peptic ulceration remains a major source of morbidity and mortality. However, the aetiology of human gastric ulceration is still unclear. The pathogenesis of peptic ulcer is also a controversial subject, partly because its cause is unknown, and accumulated evidence suggests a complex multifactorial pathogenesis (5). This article reviews the aetiology of stress-induced ulceration in animals, which may throw light on understanding the pathogenesis of gastric ulcers in man.