London, July 30 - Childhood adversities, drug use and smoking are the most important risk factors for gastric ulcer, says a new study. Besides, psychological stress alcohol intake may also play a role in its development.

However, very little is known as to whether childhood adversities involving financial problems, conflicts in the family, problems with alcohol, and matters of personal security are associated with gastric (peptic) ulcer.

Markku Sumanen of the Kari Mattilab aKangasala Health Centre, University of Tampere, Finland and his colleagues of the Health and Social Support Study (HeSSup) investigated this subject in a nationwide sample of working-aged people in Finland.

The participants were asked whether or not a doctor had told them that they have or have had a peptic ulcer.