Clinical and Endoscopic Profile of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleed Patients

Abstract

Background: Acute upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding is a common medical condition, potentially lifethreateningemergency presents with hematemesis and/or melena. The hospitalization rate for UGIB is estimatedto be six-fold higher than for lower GI bleeding. The incidence of UGIB is significantly higher in men than inwomen and increases with age. In the present study, we aim to address the clinical profile and endoscopic profile,in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding.Methods and Results: This was a cross-sectional study conducted for 22 months at a tertiary care center in a ruralpart of Northern India. Patients admitted with a history of hematemesis and melena, satisfying the inclusioncriteria were taken consecutively. Clinical and endoscopic profiles were noted. Statistical analysis was performedusing a chi-square test for qualitative variables and an independent t-test for quantitative variables.A total of 190 patients were studied during this period. The male-to-female ratio in the study was 3.4:1. The meanage was 43.7±15.42 years, ranging between 17 to 82 years.The most common clinical presentation was Malena in 77 patients (40.5%) followed by haematemesis and melenain 71 patients (37.4%) and 42 patients (22.1%) presented with only hematemesis. The most common cause ofendoscopy was portal hypertension-related oesophageal and gastric varices (52.63%) followed by antral gastritis(15.26%). The cause of UGI bleeding could not be identified in 5.26% in which the endoscopy was normal.Conclusion: The most common causes of UGI bleed are portal hypertension-related gastric and oesophagealvarices. The in-hospital mortality in the study was 7.82%.