Peptic Ulcer Disease – Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Evidence-Based Management
I. Definition & Pathophysiology Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is characterized by localized defects in the gastroduodenal mucosa that extend through the muscularis mucosae, resulting from an imbalance between aggressive factors (e.g., gastric acid, pepsin, Helicobacter pylori virulence factors) and defensive mechanisms (e.g., mucus-bicarbonate barrier, mucosal blood flow, epithelial restitution, prostaglandin synthesis). Key pathophysiiological insights: II….
