Dietary Assessment of Patients with Peptic Ulcer Disease Attending a Federal Hospital in Ilorin, Kwara State

Peptic ulcer disease is a common gastrointestinal condition influenced by dietary practices, Helicobacter pylori infection, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use. This study assesses the dietary intake and food habit patterns of adults diagnosed with peptic ulcer disease at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. Many patients continue to consume ulcer-aggravating foods due to limited dietary counselling and cultural food preferences, contributing to disease recurrence. A hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 160 confirmed peptic ulcer patients aged 18 to 65 years recruited from the gastroenterology outpatient unit. A structured questionnaire captured dietary habits including meal frequency, consumption of spicy and acidic foods, alcohol intake, and use of herbal preparations. Dietary intake was quantified using a 24-hour dietary recall. Nutritional status was assessed through body mass index and mid-upper arm circumference. Medical history including ulcer type, duration, and treatment regimen was extracted from clinical records with appropriate consent. Findings are expected to reveal irregular meal patterns, high consumption of irritant foods, and low fibre intake among patients, with a significant proportion showing nutritional deficits. The study recommends incorporating tailored dietary counselling into the management of peptic ulcer disease in Nigerian tertiary hospitals. Keywords: peptic ulcer, dietary assessment, food habits, Ilorin, gastrointestinal disease.