Is COPD Associated with Increased Risk for Peptic Ulcer Bleeding?

Some studies suggest that patients who smoke or have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are at increased risk for peptic ulcer bleeding. To explore this issue, investigators analyzed records from the National Health Insurance research database of Taiwan.

From a random sample of individuals who were alive on January 1, 2000, researchers identified 32,682 COPD patients and 30,194 controls matched by age, sex, and ulcerogenic medications. Multivariate analysis revealed that during 8 years of follow-up, risk for peptic ulcer bleeding was higher in the COPD patients than in the controls (hazard ratio, 1.93; 95% confidence interval, 1.73–2.17). Standard risk factors for peptic ulcer bleeding (age >65, male sex, history of ulcers, nonster…