Peptic ulcer bleeding in patients with cirrhosis: Is it as bad as variceal bleeding?

Abstract

Peptic ulcer bleeding (PUB) is among the most common causes of hospitalization worldwide, however, advances in endoscopic and pharmacological therapies have reduced the case fatality rate to 2.1% (1). In contrast, 6-week mortality of acute variceal bleeding (AVB) remained as high as 20% (2-3). Despite the considerable incidence of peptic ulcers with 6-33% and high recurrence rate of PUB in patients with cirrhosis (4), the specific mechanisms responsible for peptic ulcers remain largely unknown in the setting of cirrhosis (4). This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.