Question

Over the last decade, the morbidity of duodenal ulcer has been reduced mainly due to which of the following?

• A. Life style modification
• B. Eradication of H. pylori
• C. Proton pump inhibitors
• D. None

Hint:

Potent acid suppression that heals ulcers fast is the key advance.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Identify the key advance. The single biggest pharmacological change in peptic ulcer disease over recent decades has been the introduction of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). These potently suppress gastric acid and allow rapid ulcer healing.

Step 2: Link to reduced morbidity. With PPIs and a better understanding of perforated peptic ulcer aetiology, the incidence and morbidity of complications such as perforation have reportedly fallen in Western countries. So proton pump inhibitors is the correct answer.

Step 3: Why H. pylori eradication is not the chosen answer here. While eradicating H. pylori is central to preventing recurrence, this recall question credits the marked reduction in duodenal ulcer morbidity to acid suppression with PPIs. Life style modification has a much smaller role for duodenal ulcer specifically.