A 46-year-old female presents with recurrent upper abdominal burning pain that occurs 2 to 3 hours after meals and frequently awakens her at night. The pain is consistently relieved by food ingestion or antacids. What is the most likely diagnosis, and what is its primary infectious etiology?

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. Duodenal ulcer secondary to Helicobacter pylori infection

  1. Step 1: Epigastric pain occurring 2 to 3 hours postprandially, relieved by food ingestion or antacids, and waking the patient at night is classic for a duodenal ulcer.
  2. Step 2: Helicobacter pylori colonization of the gastric antrum is the causative pathogen in over 85% to 90% of duodenal ulcers.
Answer
Duodenal ulcer secondary to Helicobacter pylori infection.
Why not the others: 'Gastric adenocarcinoma' presents with persistent unremitting pain, anorexia, weight loss, early satiety, and vomiting; 'Acute cholecystitis' causes severe right upper quadrant colic radiating to the right scapula triggered by fatty meals (positive Murphy sign); 'Acute pancreatitis' produces severe constant epigastric pain radiating to the back with elevated lipase.

Practise more Endocrine, Renal and Gastrointestinal Pathology.

Free questions with an explanation for every one, and full timed DHA Dubai mock tests.

All Endocrine, Renal and Gastrointestinal Pathology questionsTake a mock test

More Endocrine, Renal and Gastrointestinal Pathology questions