Sarcouncil Journal of Medical Sciences

Abstract: Background & Objective: Peptic ulcer disease remains a significant global health burden with a complex, multifactorial etiology. Smoking is a prominent modifiable risk factor implicated in exacerbating ulcer development and hindering treatment efficacy. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of smoking among peptic ulcer patients at Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital and to evaluate its impact on ulcer severity and treatment outcomes. Methods: We employed a cross-sectional design. During February 2024, a one-month questionnaire survey was administered to identify and enroll patients with a diagnosed peptic ulcer. Data on demographic characteristics, smoking status, ulcer type, clinical severity, and treatment response were systematically collected and analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. Results: Preliminary analysis indicates a significant association between smoking and peptic ulcer disease. Smokers demonstrated a higher prevalence and greater severity of ulcers compared to non-smokers. Furthermore, smoking status appeared to negatively influence responsiveness to standard therapeutic regimens.Conclusion: The findings underscore a strong link between smoking and increased peptic ulcer risk and severity. They also suggest that smoking cessation interventions could substantially improve treatment efficacy and reduce the likelihood of ulcer recurrence. This study highlights the critical need to integrate smoking cessation strategies into comprehensive peptic ulcer management and prevention protocol.