Abstract: | Drug therapy in hospitalized patients treated for duodenal ulcer disease was reviewed retrospectively. The information was obtained by the means of a medical audit of patient records indexed by the discharge diagnosis of duodenal ulcers. A total of 485 cases were abstracted. Antacids were found to be the cornerstone of duodenal ulcer drug therapy. Anticholinergic drugs occupied a central role throughout the medical treatment of duodenal ulcers. The investigators identified a need for the dissemination of information concerning the use of anticholinergics in duodenal ulcer patients experiencing the complications of hemorrhage and obstruction. |