PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Site (gastroduodenal mucosa)
Inability to withstand the digestive action of gastric acid (HCl) and pepsin
Increased concentration or activity of acidpepsin and decreased resistance of the mucosa
Erosion/damage of the mucosa
Inability to secrete enough mucus to act as a barrier against HCl
hypersecretion of gastric juice, duodenal ulcers, and gastrinomas (islet cell tumors) in the pancreas
Epigastric pain