A gastric ulcer is said to be refractory when it fails to heal after therapy for:: (A) 6 weeks, (B) 8 weeks, (C) 12 weeks, (D) 14 weeks
Answer is C. A gastric ulcer that fails to heal after 12 weeks and a duodenal ulcer does not heal at 8 weeks of therapy should be considered refractory. Cause of refractory ulcers: Malignancy Zollinger Ellison syndrome Cigarette smoking Ischemia Crohn's disease Lymphoma Eosinophilic gastroenteritis Infections (TB,CMV) Ref: Harrisons principles of internal medicine, 18th edition, Page: 2452