Factors relevant to the prognosis of chronic gastric ulcer.

The factors that determine the recurrence rate of chronic gastric ulcer were studied in 105 patients. It was found that complete healing of the ulcer significantly reduced the recurrence rate and subsequent need for hospital admission because of ulcer symptoms when this group was compared with those who left hospital with their ulcers unhealed. Those admitted with large ulcers also had a higher recurrence rate. The age and sex of the patient, ingestion of analgesics and cigarette smoking did not influence recurrence. The initial healing rate of the ulcer also had no effect on the subsequent course of the patient.