This Article  • Full text  • PDF  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Related article  • Similar articles in this journal

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 148 words of the full text and any section headings.

In a recent issue of the ARCHIVES, the article titled "Lifestyle, Stress, and Genes in Peptic Ulcer Disease" by Raiha et al¹ was of interest to me, since I coauthored a report in 1952 entitled "A Familial Pattern in Peptic Ulcer: A Report of a Family and Review of the Literature."²

Even 46 years ago, we were impressed with the familial pattern in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. We were uncertain as to the cause, ie, whether it was from some factor in the common environment or else some hereditary element. We thought that perhaps both factors must coexist for the formation of an ulcer.

In study by Raiha et al, it is suggested that the familial aggregation of the disease was modest and attributable almost completely to genetic factors. Also, of course, in 1952 we had no knowledge of Helicobacter pylori infection.

Edward Wasserman, MD
Fairfield, Conn

1. Raiha I, Kemppainen H, Kaprio J, Koskenvuo M, Sourander L. Lifestyle, stress, and genes in peptic ulcer disease: a nationwide twin cohort study. Arch Intern Med. 1998;150:705-712. 2. Wasserman E, Ringer M. Familial pattern in peptic ulcer: report of a family and review of the literature. Med Ann DC. 1952;21:23-24.

Arch Intern Med. 1999;159:407.

RELATED ARTICLE

Effectiveness of Treatments of Depression in Older Ambulatory Patients
Jane McCusker, Martin Cole, Evelyn Keller, François Bellavance, and Anick Berard
Arch Intern Med. 1998;158(7):705-712.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT