Spectrum of the causes of lower gastrointestinal bleeding in geriatric patients in tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Context: Lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) patients in geriatric are the common indication of hospital admissions, with marked geographic variation in the frequency of different etiologies. Colonoscopy is considered as first-line diagnostic procedure of choice in evaluation of patients with bleeding per rectum. Aims: This study aims to determine spectrum of LGIB in our region using lower gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy. Settings and Design: A retrospective study of 2-year period from August 2010 to July 2012, 2 years study in tertiary hospital. Subjects and Methods: The clinical data of patients admitted with per rectal bleeding were collected including age, sex, site of bleeding and the underlying cause. In all cases proctoscopy was done and colonoscopy after preparation and stabilization of the patients. Statistical Analysis Used: SPSS analysis. Results: During 2-year follow-up study, 45 patients were admitted with LGIB with mean age of 67.5 years, the bleeding site was in the colorectal causes found in 33 (73.3%) cases, while perianal in 6 (13.3%) of cases. Carcinoma was the most common cause. Conclusions: Bleeding per rectum is a common cause in geriatric patients admitted to Gastroenterology Department. Carcinoma is the most common cause of bleeding per rectum. There is wide geographic variation regarding the etiologies of LGIB. Lower GI endoscopy is very useful tool in evaluating patients with bleeding per rectum.