Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The mortality rate in upper gastrointestinal system bleeding is still close to 10% and remains an important cause of emergency service admission. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the epidemiologic features, duration of hospitalization, mortality rate and factors that might affect mortality and length of stay in patients with upper gastrointestinal system bleeding.

METHODS

Between December 2007 and March 2010, the patients who were hospitalized with the diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal system bleeding in Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital were included in the study. The demographic characteristics of the patients, the cause of admission to the hospital, duration of hospitalization, comorbidities, drug use, endoscopy findings, vital signs and hemoglobin values, blood transfusion and mortality were retrospectively analyzed. Deceased and living patients were compared to include these parameters.

RESULTS

The mean age of 185 patients included in the study was 63.2 (21-96). The rate of patients with at least one comorbidity was 72.4% (n: 134) and 69 (37.3%) patients were using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and 34.1% (n: 63) aspirin. The cause of bleeding was found as duodenal ulcer in 69 patients (37.3%) and gastric ulcer in 45 (24.3%) patients. 33 (17.8%) patients had active bleeding and sclerotherapy or band ligation was performed in 25 (13.5%) of these patients. The mean duration of hospitalization was 5.5 (1-21) days for all cohort, 8 (6-10) days for esophageal varices, 5 days for bleeding, 5.4 (1-8) days for duodenal ulcer and 5.5 (2-7) days for gastric ulcer (p: 0.56). The mortality rate was 7.5% (n: 14). Patients who were dead had higher mean age (p: 0.02) and more comorbidities (p: 0.01).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Acute upper gastrointestinal system bleeding continue to be an important cause of emergency department admission. It is seen that the mortality rate increases especially in patients with advanced age and comorbid diseases.