Description

For 1997 forward, ULCEREV identifies sample adults whom a doctor or other health care professional had ever diagnosed as having an ulcer. Interviewers told respondents, "This could be a stomach, duodenal or peptic ulcer."

In 1983, the inquiry did not specify that the ulcer had to be diagnosed by a doctor or other health professional. Rather, in 1983, interviewers said, "Tell me whether you have ever had ... an ulcer, other than a skin ulcer."

In 1989, interviewers asked, "During the past 12 months, did you have an ulcer? Have you ever had an ulcer?" The type of ulcer was not determined, in 1989, until a later question: "Did the doctor say that you had a gastric, duodenal, or peptic ulcer, or were you not told?" The response categories for this later question include "skin" [ulcer]," along with "gastric," "duodenal," "peptic," "stomach," "not told," and "other."

Comparability

From 1997 forward, ULCEREV is comparable over time.

The change in the specification of diagnosis by a professional limits the comparability of the 1983 and 1989 survey data for ULCEREV with the data for 1997 forward. In addition, as noted above, the 1989 inquiry did not initially direct respondents toward reporting only non-skin ulcers or ulcers of the digestive system.

Universe

Availability

• 1983, 1988-1989, 1997-2018

Weights

• 1988, 1997-2018 : SAMPWEIGHT
• 1983 : SUPP1WT
• 1989 : SUPP2WT