Peptic Ulcer Disease Workup

  • Author: BS Anand, MD; Chief Editor: Julian Katz, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jun 20, 2011
 

Approach Considerations

Testing for H pylori infection is essential in all patients with peptic ulcers. In most patients with uncomplicated peptic ulcer disease (PUD), routine laboratory tests usually are not helpful. Documentation of PUD depends on radiographic and endoscopic confirmation.

If the diagnosis of PUD is suspected, obtaining CBC count, liver function tests (LFTs), amylase, and lipase may be useful. CBC count and iron studies can help detect anemia, which is an alarm signal that mandates early endoscopy to rule out other sources of chronic GI blood loss.

H pylori Testing

Testing for H pylori infection is essential in all patients with peptic ulcers.

Endoscopic or invasive tests for H pylori include a rapid urease test, histopathology, and culture. Rapid urease tests are considered the endoscopic diagnostic test of choice. The presence of H pylori in gastric mucosal biopsy specimens is detected by testing for the bacterial product urease. Fecal antigen testing identifies active H pylori infection by detecting the presence of H pylori antigens in stools. This test is more accurate than antibody testing and is less expensive than urea breath tests.

Three kits (ie, CLOtest, Hp-fast, Pyloritek) are commercially available for H pylori testing, and each contains a combination of a urea substrate and a pH sensitive indicator. One or more gastric biopsy specimens are placed in the rapid urease test kit. If H pylori is present, bacterial urease converts urea to ammonia, which changes the pH, resulting in a color change.

Urea breath tests detect active H pylori infection by testing for the enzymatic activity of bacterial urease. In the presence of urease produced by H pylori, labeled carbon dioxide (heavy isotope, carbon-13, or radioactive isotope, carbon-14) is produced in the stomach, absorbed into the bloodstream, diffused into the lungs, and exhaled.

Obtain histopathology, often considered the criterion standard to establish a diagnosis of H pylori infection , if the rapid urease test result is negative and a high suspicion for H pylori persists (presence of a duodenal ulcer).

Antibodies (immunoglobulin G [IgG]) to H pylori can be measured in serum, plasma, or whole blood. Results with whole blood tests obtained from finger sticks are less reliable.

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Endoscopy

Upper GI endoscopy is the preferred diagnostic test in the evaluation of patients with suspected PUD. It is highly sensitive for the diagnosis of gastric and duodenal ulcers, allows for biopsies and cytologic brushings in the setting of a gastric ulcer to differentiate a benign ulcer from a malignant lesion, and allows for the detection of H pylori infection with antral biopsies for a rapid urease test and/or histopathology in patients with PUD. (See the images below.)

At endoscopy, gastric ulcers appear as discrete mucosal lesions with a punched-out smooth ulcer base, which often is filled with whitish fibrinoid exudate. Ulcers tend to be solitary and well circumscribed and usually are 0.5-2.5 cm in diameter. Most gastric ulcers tend to occur at the junction of the fundus and antrum, along the lesser curvature. Benign ulcers tend to have a smooth, regular, rounded edge with a flat smooth base and surrounding mucosa that shows radiating folds. Malignant ulcers usually have irregular heaped-up or overhanging margins. The ulcerated mass often protrudes into the lumen, and the folds surrounding the ulcer crater are often nodular and irregular.

Gastric ulcer with punched-out ulcer base with whiGastric ulcer with punched-out ulcer base with whitish fibrinoid exudates. Gastric ulcer (lesser curvature) with punched-out Gastric ulcer (lesser curvature) with punched-out ulcer base with whitish exudate. Gastric cancer. Note the irregular heaped up overhGastric cancer. Note the irregular heaped up overhanging margins. Gastric cancer with ulcerated mass. Gastric cancer with ulcerated mass.

More than 95% of duodenal ulcers are found in the first part of the duodenum; most are less than 1 cm in diameter.[22] Duodenal ulcers are characterized by the presence of a well-demarcated break in the mucosa that may extend into the muscularis propria of the duodenum (see the images below).

Gastric cancer with ulcerated mass. Gastric cancer with ulcerated mass. Duodenal ulcer in a 35-year-old woman who presenteDuodenal ulcer in a 35-year-old woman who presented with tarry stools and a hemoglobin level of 75 g/L. Duodenal ulcer in a 65-year-old man with osteoarthDuodenal ulcer in a 65-year-old man with osteoarthritis who presented with hematemesis and melena stools. The patient took naproxen on a daily basis.

A meta-analysis has shown that for individuals who undergo endoscopy for dyspepsia, the most common finding is erosive esophagitis (though prevalence was lower when the Rome criteria were used to define dyspepsia) followed by peptic ulcer.[23]

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Radiography

In patients presenting acutely, a chest radiograph may be useful to detect free abdominal air when perforation is suspected. On upper GI contrast study with water-soluble contrast, the extravasation of contrast indicates gastric perforation.

Double-contrast radiography performed by an experienced radiologist may approach the diagnostic accuracy of upper GI endoscopy. However, it has been replaced largely by diagnostic endoscopy, when available. An upper GI series is not as sensitive as endoscopy for establishing a diagnosis of small ulcers (< 0.5 cm). It also does not allow for obtaining a biopsy to rule out malignancy in the setting of a gastric ulcer or to assess for H pylori infection in the setting of a gastroduodenal ulcer.

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Angiography

Angiography may be necessary in patients with a massive GI bleed in whom endoscopy cannot be performed. An ongoing bleeding rate of 0.5 mL/min or more is needed for the angiography to be able to accurately identify the bleeding source. Angiography can depict the source of the bleeding and can help provide needed therapy in the form of a direct injection of vasoconstrictive agents.

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Serum Gastrin Level

A fasting serum gastrin level should be obtained in certain cases to screen for Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Such cases include the following:

  • Patients with multiple ulcers
  • Ulcers occurring distal to the duodenal bulb
  • Strong family history of PUD
  • Peptic ulcer associated with diarrhea, steatorrhea, or weight loss
  • Peptic ulcer not associated with H pylori infection or NSAID use
  • Peptic ulcer associated with hypercalcemia or renal stones
  • Ulcer refractory to medical therapy
  • Ulcer recurring after surgery
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Secretin Stimulation Test

A secretin stimulation test may be required if the diagnosis of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome cannot be made on the basis of the serum gastrin level alone. This test can distinguish Zollinger-Ellison syndrome from other conditions with a high serum gastrin level, such as use of antisecretory therapy with a proton pump inhibitor, renal failure, or gastric outlet obstruction.

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Biopsy

A single biopsy offers 70% accuracy in diagnosing gastric cancer, but 7 biopsy samples obtained from the base and ulcer margins increase the sensitivity to 99%. Brush cytology has been shown to increase the biopsy yield, and this method may be useful particularly when bleeding is a concern in a patient with coagulopathy.

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Histologic Findings

The histology of gastric ulcer depends on its chronicity. The surface is covered with slough and inflammatory debris. Beneath this neutrophilic infiltration, active granulation with mononuclear leukocytic infiltration and fibrinoid necrosis may be seen. In chronic superficial gastritis, lymphocytes, monocytes, and plasma cells often infiltrate the mucosa and submucosa.

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Emergency Department Workup

The ED workup will vary depending on presentation and includes the following:

  • Complete blood count is used to evaluate acute or chronic blood loss.
  • Electrolytes, BUN, and creatinine levels are useful tests for critical-appearing patients who require fluid resuscitation.
  • Type and screen and crossmatched blood for transfusion is indicated in unstable or potentially critical patients.
  • aPTT, PT, and INR are indicated in patients with active bleeding and those on anticoagulants.
  • Amylase, lipase, and liver transaminase levels can be helpful to rule out other common causes of epigastric pain.
  • Patients younger than 55 years with no alarm features should be referred for noninvasive testing for H pylori infection in the outpatient setting.[1]
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

BS Anand, MD  Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Baylor College of Medicine

BS Anand, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association, and American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Simmy Bank, MD  Chair, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Long Island Jewish Hospital, Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Waqar A Qureshi, MD  Associate Professor of Medicine, Chief of Endoscopy, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Baylor College of Medicine and Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Waqar A Qureshi, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, American Gastroenterological Association, and American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Shane M Devlin, MD, FRCP(C)  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Peter Lougheed Center, University of Calgary, Canada

Shane M Devlin, MD, FRCP(C) is a member of the following medical societies: American Gastroenterological Association, Canadian Association of Gastroenterology, Canadian Medical Association, and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Sanjeeb Shrestha, MD  Consulting Staff, Division of Gastroenterology, Gastroenterology Care Consultants

Sanjeeb Shrestha, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association, and American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

David Greenwald, MD  Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine, Fellowship Program Director, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine

David Greenwald, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, American Gastroenterological Association, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and New York Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Daryl Lau, MD, MPH, MSc, FRCP(C)  Director of Translational Liver Research, Liver Center, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School

Daryl Lau, MD, MPH, MSc, FRCP(C) is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and American Gastroenterological Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

B UK Li, MD  Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Director, Pediatric Fellowships and Gastroenterology Fellowship, Medical Director, Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders and Cyclic Vomiting Program, Medical College of Wisconsin; Attending Gastroenterologist, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin

B UK Li, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Gastroenterological Association, and North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Robert K Minkes, MD, PhD  Professor of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Southwestern Medical School; Medical Director and Chief of Surgical Services, Children's Medical Center of Dallas-Legacy Campus

Robert K Minkes, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Pediatric Surgical Association, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Brian James Daley, MD, MBA, FACS, FCCP, CNSC  Professor and Program Director, Department of Surgery, Chief, Division of Trauma and Critical Care, University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine

Brian James Daley, MD, MBA, FACS, FCCP, CNSC is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Surgery of Trauma, American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, Association for Academic Surgery, Association for Surgical Education, Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma, Shock Society, Society of Critical Care Medicine, Southeastern Surgical Congress, and Tennessee Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Carmen Cuffari, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology/Nutrition, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Carmen Cuffari, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association, North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

George T Fantry, MD  Director of Clinical Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Associate Professor, University of Maryland School of Medicine

George T Fantry, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology and American Gastroenterological Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Andre Hebra, MD  Chief, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine; Surgeon-in-Chief, Medical University of South Carolina Children's Hospital

Andre Hebra, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Pediatric Surgical Association, Children's Oncology Group, Florida Medical Association, International Pediatric Endosurgery Group, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons, South Carolina Medical Association, Southeastern Surgical Congress, and Southern Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Jeffrey Glenn Bowman, MD, MS  Consulting Staff, Highfield MRI

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

John Geibel, MD, DSc, MA  Vice Chair and Professor, Department of Surgery, Section of Gastrointestinal Medicine, and Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine; Director, Surgical Research, Department of Surgery, Yale-New Haven Hospital

John Geibel, MD, DSc, MA is a member of the following medical societies: American Gastroenterological Association, American Physiological Society, American Society of Nephrology, Association for Academic Surgery, International Society of Nephrology, New York Academy of Sciences, and Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract

Disclosure: AMGEN Royalty Consulting; ARdelyx Ownership interest Board membership

Chris A Liacouras  MD, Director of Pediatric Endoscopy, Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; Associate Professor of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Chris A Liacouras is a member of the following medical societies: American Gastroenterological Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Eugene Hardin, MD, FAAEM, FACEP  Former Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science; Former Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine, Martin Luther King Jr/Drew Medical Center

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Faisal Aziz, MD  Assistant Professor of Surgery, Divsion of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine

Faisal Aziz, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Surgeons and American Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Tri H Le, MD  Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Penn State Milton S Hershey Medical Center

Tri H Le, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association, American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and Crohns and Colitis Foundation of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Jay A Yelon, DO, FACS  Associate Professor of Surgery and Anesthesiology, Program Director, Surgical Critical Care Fellowship, New York Medical College; Chief, Division of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, Westchester Medical Center

Jay A Yelon, DO, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Surgery of Trauma, American Burn Association, American College of Surgeons, American Trauma Society, Association for Academic Surgery, Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma, Pan American Trauma Society, Shock Society, Society of Critical Care Medicine, Southeastern Surgical Congress, and Surgical Infection Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Philip Shayne  MD, Associate Professor, Program Director and Vice Chair for Education, Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine

Philip Shayne is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Association, Council of Emergency Medicine Residency Directors, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Ameesh Shah, MD  Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Children's Memorial Hospital

Ameesh Shah, MD is a member of the following medical societies: North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Harsh Grewal, MD, FACS, FAAP  Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics, Temple University School of Medicine; Chief, Section of Pediatric Surgery, Temple University School of Medicine

Harsh Grewal, MD, FACS, FAAP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Surgeons, American Pediatric Surgical Association, Association for Surgical Education, Children's Oncology Group, Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma, International Pediatric Endosurgery Group, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons, and Southwestern Surgical Congress

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Alan BR Thomson, MD  Professor of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Alberta, Canada

Alan BR Thomson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alberta Medical Association, American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association, Canadian Association of Gastroenterology, Canadian Medical Association, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mutaz I Sultan, MBChB  Instructor and Fellow, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Medical College of Wisconsin, Children's Hospital

Mutaz I Sultan, MBChB is a member of the following medical societies: American Gastroenterological Association and North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Wendi S Miller, MD  Resident Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine

Wendi S Miller, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Association, and Southern Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Erick F Rivas, MD, PT  Resident Physician, Department of Surgery, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine

Erick F Rivas, MD, PT is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Surgeons

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Juda Zvi Jona  MD, FAAP(s), FACS, EUPSA, Clinical Professor of Surgery, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine; Clinical Professor of Surgery, Northwestern University, The Feinberg School of Medicine; Attending Senior Surgeon, Director of Pediatric Surgery Service, Surgical Executive Committee, Sparrow Hospital

Juda Zvi Jona is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Bronchoesophagological Association, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Pediatric Surgical Association, Association for Academic Surgery, British Association of Paediatric Surgeons, Central Surgical Association, Children's Oncology Group, and International Pediatric Endosurgery Group

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Terence David Lewis, MBBS, FRACP, FRCPC, FACP  Program Director, Internal Medicine Residency, & Assistant Chairman, Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Loma Linda University Medical Center

Terence David Lewis, MBBS, FRACP, FRCPC, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, American Gastroenterological Association, American Medical Association, California Medical Association, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and Sigma Xi

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Noel Williams, MD  Professor Emeritus, Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Noel Williams, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Steven C Dronen, MD, FAAEM  Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine, LeConte Medical Center

Steven C Dronen, MD, FAAEM is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Julian Katz, MD  Clinical Professor of Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine

Julian Katz, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, American Gastroenterological Association, American Geriatrics Society, American Medical Association, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics, American Trauma Society, Association of American Medical Colleges, and Physicians for Social Responsibility

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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Vagal innervation of stomach.
Gastric ulcer with punched-out ulcer base with whitish fibrinoid exudates.
Gastric ulcer (lesser curvature) with punched-out ulcer base with whitish exudate.
Gastric cancer. Note the irregular heaped up overhanging margins.
Gastric cancer with ulcerated mass.
Gross pathology of a gastric ulcer.
Gastric cancer with ulcerated mass.
Duodenal ulcer in a 35-year-old woman who presented with tarry stools and a hemoglobin level of 75 g/L.
Duodenal ulcer in a 65-year-old man with osteoarthritis who presented with hematemesis and melena stools. The patient took naproxen on a daily basis.
 
 
 
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