Prevalence of Small Bowel Bleeding in Patients with Gastrointestinal Overt Bleeding: A Multi-Center Experience of 1052 Consecutive Patients

Abstract

Objectives: Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) represent approximately 5 % of all episodes of gastrointestinal bleeding. Recent diagnostic advancement such as capsule endoscopy and double balloon enteroscopy yield the detection of small bowel lesions responsible for OGIB. The aim of this study is to clarify the prevalence of small bowel bleeding in Japanese patients with overt GI bleeding defined as the GI bleeding manifest as visible bright red or altered blood in emesis or feces. Subjects and Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from consecutive patients with acute GI overt bleeding in 10 participating hospitals between January 2006 and December 2006.