Ulcer Bleeding In Patients Research Articles

Endoscopic Clips Marking for Transcatheter Arterial Embolization in Refractory Peptic Ulcer Bleeding Patients: A Cohort Study.

Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is recommended for refractory peptic ulcer bleeding. There are 46% of patients showed no detectable contrast extravasation during TAE. Endoscopic clip in bleeding lesion is visible and could be used as a marker in TAE. We aimed to learn whether endoscopic clips marking would ameliorate the prognosis. We retrospectively collected data of patents who received TAE because of refractory peptic ulcer bleeding, between 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2022. 188 patients were included and divided into two groups according to clips visibility in angiography. Baseline data about age, gender, bleeding severity, comorbidities, history of antiplatelet or anticoagulation drugs and endoscopic findings were balanced with the inverse probability of treatment weighting method. There were 59 patients without clips received TAE, and 129 with clips. The in-hospital rebleeding rate after TAE was much higher in patients without clip than with clips (45.8% vs 33.3%). Cox regression analysis indicated that endoscopic clips marking decreased the rebleeding (aHR=0.492, 95%CI: 0.242-1.001, p=0.050). Also, in patient with clips, the empirical TAE rate was higher (64.3% vs 11.9%, p<0.001). No difference in in-hospital all-cause mortality was found (without clips vs with clips 11.9% vs 12.4%). The hospital stay length and embolized vessels types showed no differences between the two groups. In refractory peptic ulcer bleeding patients, endoscopic clips marking decreased the in-hospital rebleeding rate after TAE, but did not affect the mortality.

Medical therapy has similar hemostatic efficacy with endoscopic treatment for PUB patients with adherent clot (FIIb ulcers).

Currently, there is no clear consensus on whether medical treatment or endoscopic treatment should be used for peptic ulcer bleeding patients with adherent clot. The aim of this study is to investigate the hemostatic effects of medical treatment, single endoscopic treatment, and combination endoscopic treatment for peptic ulcer bleeding (PUB) patients with adherent clot. We retrospectively analyzed PUB patients with adherent clot who underwent endoscopic examination or treatment in our center from March 2014 to January 2023 and received intravenous administration of proton pump inhibitors. Patients were divided into medical treatment (MT) group, single endoscopic treatment (ST) group, and combined endoscopic treatment (CT) group. Subsequently, inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was performed to calculate the rebleeding rate. A total of 605 eligible patients were included in this study. After IPTW, the rebleeding rate in the MT group on days 3, 7, 14, and 30 were 13.3 (7.3), 14.2 (7.8), 14.5 (7.9), and 14.5 (7.9), respectively; the rebleeding rates in the ST group were 17.4 (5.1), 20.8 (6.1), 20.8 (6.1), and 20.8 (6.1), respectively; the rebleeding rates in the CT group were 0.4 (0.9), 1.7 (3.3), 2.3 (4.5), and 2.3 (4.5), respectively. Although the rebleeding rate in the medical treatment group was higher, there was no significant difference among the three groups on days 3, 7, 14, and 30 (P = 0.132, 0.442, 0.552, and 0.552). Medical therapy has similar hemostatic efficacy with endoscopic treatment for PUB patients with adherent clot (FIIb ulcers). However, for patients with more risk factors and access to well-equipped endoscopy centers, endoscopic treatment may be considered. The choice of treatment approach should be based on the individual conditions of the patient, as well as other factors such as medical resources available.

S764 Role of Second-Look Endoscopy in Post-Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection and Post-Peptic Ulcer Bleeding Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

S764 Role of Second-Look Endoscopy in Post-Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection and Post-Peptic Ulcer Bleeding Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Impact of Helicobacter pylori Eradication on Incidence of Peptic Ulcer Bleeding in Patients Taking Regular Aspirin

Hawkey C, Avery A, Coupland CAC, et al; HEAT Trialists. Helicobacter pylori eradication for primary prevention of peptic ulcer bleeding in older patients prescribed aspirin in primary care (HEAT): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet 2022; 400(10363):1597–1606.

Frequency of Bleeding Duodenal Ulcer in Patients Presenting with Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a well-known complication of peptic ulcers and erosions. The prevalence of Upper Gastrointestinal bleeding ranges from 48-160 patients per 100,000 people, with consistent reports of higher incidence among elderly and men. Objective: To determine the incidence of duodenal ulcer bleeding in patients admitted to the tertiary care hospital with bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract. Methods: The study included 270 patients, 20 to 70 years of age, of both sexes with upper gastrointestinal bleeding within 24 hours of symptom onset. A detailed interview and complete physical examination were performed. Endoscopic examination protocols were followed and accomplished within 48-hrs of the start of symptoms as bleeding. All of the above information, including age, sex and duodenal ulcer, was documented in a formerly designed proforma. The data were analyzed and entered in SPSS 22.0. Results: The mean age and SD were 54.5 + 10.54. 110 (40.74%) patients were 20-45 years old and 160 (59.25%) subjects were 46-70 years old. 190 (70.37%) patients were male and 80 (29.62%) females. While in this study duodenal ulcer was seen in 64 (23.70%) patients, 206 (76.29%) patients did not have duodenal ulcer. Conclusions: Upper Gastrointestinal bleeding is secondary to duodenal ulcers due to an increase in early readmissions over time, as observed in this local population, resulting in a higher incidence of duodenal ulcers in our local population.

An extended 36-week oral esomeprazole improved long-term recurrent peptic ulcer bleeding in patients at high risk of rebleeding

BackgroundPatients with Rockall scores ≥6 have an increased risk of long-term peptic ulcer rebleeding. This study was aimed toward investigating whether an extended course of oral esomeprazole up to 1 year decreased ulcer rebleeding in such patients.MethodsWe prospectively enrolled 120 patients with peptic ulcer bleeding and Rockall scores ≥6. After an initial 16-week oral proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment, patients were randomized to receive a 36-week course of oral twice-daily esomeprazole 20 mg (Group D, n = 60) or once-daily (Group S, n = 60). Thereafter, they were divided into the PPI-on-demand (n = 32) and PPI-discontinued (n = 77) subgroups. Our previous cohort with Rockall scores ≥6 served as the controls (Group C, n = 135); they received only an initial 8- to 16-week oral PPI. The primary and secondary outcomes were peptic ulcer rebleeding during the first year and the second year-and-thereafter, respectively.ResultsFor the primary outcome, groups D and S comprised a higher proportion of rebleeding-free than Group C (P = 0.008 and 0.03, log-rank test). The competing-risks regression analysis confirmed that extended PPI use and American Society of Anesthesiologists classification were independent factors contributing to the primary outcome. For the secondary outcome, PPI-on-demand had a borderline higher proportion of rebleeding-free than Group C (P = 0.07, log-rank test); however, only the Rockall score was the independent factor.ConclusionsAn extended 36-week course of oral esomeprazole 20 mg, twice- or once-daily for patients with Rockall scores ≥6 reduced ulcer rebleeding during the first year, but the effect needed to be further validated when PPIs were shifted to on-demand or discontinued thereafter (NCT02456012, 28/05/2015).

Scoring systems for predicting clinical outcomes in peptic ulcer bleeding.

Few studies have focused on assessing the usefulness of scoring systems such as the Rockall score (RS), Glasgow-Blatchford score (GBS), and AIMS65 score for risk stratification and prognosis prediction in peptic ulcer bleeding patients. This study aimed to assess scoring systems in predicting clinical outcomes of patients with peptic ulcer bleeding. A total of 682 peptic ulcer bleeding patients who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy between January 2013 and December 2017 were found eligible for this study. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of each score was calculated for predicting rebleeding, hospitalization, blood transfusion, and mortality. The median age of patients was 64 (interquartile range, 56-75) years. Of the patients, 74.9% were men, and 373 underwent endoscopic intervention. The median RS, GBS, and AIMS65 scores were significantly higher in patients who underwent endoscopic intervention than in those who did not. The AUROC of RS for predicting rebleeding was significantly higher than that of GBS (P = .022) or AIMS65 (P < .001). GBS best predicted the need for blood transfusion than either pre-RS (P = .013) or AIMS65 (P = .001). AIMS65 score showed the highest AUROC for mortality (0.652 vs. 0.622 vs. 0.691). RS was significantly associated with rebleeding (odds ratio, 1.430; P < .001) and overall survival (hazard ratio, 1.217; P < .001). The RS, GBS, and AIMS65 scoring systems are acceptable tools for predicting clinical outcomes in peptic ulcer bleeding. RS is an independent prognostic factor of rebleeding and overall survival.

Peptic ulcer disease and H. pylori gastritis: key advances in clinical management

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) gastritis and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) intake are the most important risk factors for peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and ulcer bleeding. H. pylori infection was shown to increase the risk of ulcer bleeding in patients with PUD who are taking NSAID, aspirin, or another antiplatelet drug. H. pylori-positive patients on combined platelet aggregation inhibition are at the highest risk of bleeding. Evidence-based interdisciplinary treatment recommendations for the safe use of NSAID have been released. For patients with a moderate risk of PUD, the combination of NSAID and a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) or a monotherapy with a selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor is recommended, whereas patients with a high risk of bleeding should receive a combination of a selective COX-2 inhibitor and a PPI. According to a recent randomized trial, hemodynamically stable patients with signs of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and an increased risk of death (Glasgow-Blatchford Score ≥ 12) undergoing endoscopy 6-24 after consultation do not have any disadvantage in terms of 30-day mortality compared to patients receiving endoscopy within 6 hours. After successful endoscopic hemostasis, additional prophylactic angiographic embolization does not reduce the risk of recurrent bleeding. Successful H. pylori eradication reduces the risk of developing gastric cancer (GC) in first-degree relatives of patients with GC by 73 %. In patients with successful endoscopic treatment of early GC, H. pylori testing with subsequent eradication also halves the rate of metachronous GC. Clarithromycin-based triple therapy for H. pylori eradication shows a decreasing effectiveness due to increasing antibiotic resistance, especially against macrolides. Accordingly, bismuth-containing quadruple therapy is widely recommended as the standard empiric first-line therapy.

Formulation and Evaluation of Combined Dosage Form of Diclofenac Sodium (Mini Tablet) and Omeprazole Sodium in Capsule Devices

The work investigates the formulation and evaluation of combined dosage form of diclofenac sodium (mini tablet) and omeprazole sodium in capsule devices. The design of effective and safe drug delivery systems has become an integral part for the development and formulating of new medicines. So, research continuously keeps on searching for new ways to deliver drugs over a long period of time or for a well-controlled release profile, to minimizing the loss of drug, to reduce the side effect. The continuous release mini matrix tablet of diclofenac sodium prepared by wet granulation using HPMC, the patients at risk for ulcer disease who require treatment for arthritis receive nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that are selective for cyclooxygenase-2 or the combination of a nonselective NSAID with a proton-pump inhibitor. We assessed whether celecoxib would be similar to diclofenac plus omeprazole in reducing the risk of recurrent ulcer bleeding in patients at high risk for bleeding.

Computer program for the choice of therapeutic approaches to the treatment of gastroduodenal ulcer bleeding in patients with coronary heart disease

The developed computer program for choosing the tactics of treating patients with gastro duodenal ulcerous bleeding (GDUB) combined with various forms of coronary heart disease to the fullest extent meets demands not only practical emergency medicine, but modern evidence-based medicine. The presented case of clinical observation serves the clear illustration of this issue, which convincingly indicates that use of the developed computer program to choose the tactics of treating patients with GDUB combined with various forms of coronary heart disease allows us not only to accurately establish the clinical diagnosis, but also to choose the most appropriate treatment tactic.

High- versus low-dose proton pump inhibitors post endoscopic hemostasis in hemodialysis cases with peptic ulcer bleeding.

Post-endoscopic hemostasis treatment is not adequately addressed in high-risk patients on regular hemodialysis (HD) with emergency peptic ulcer bleeding. This study aimed to compare post-endoscopic high- versus low-dose proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for peptic ulcer bleeding in patients undergoing regular HD. This prospective study comprised 200 patients on regular hemodialysis having emergency peptic ulcer bleeding confirmed at endoscopy and managed with endoscopic hemostasis. Half of the patients received high-dose intensive regimen and the other half received the standard regimen. Patients who were suspected to have recurrent bleeding underwent a second endoscopy for bleeding control. The primary outcome measure was rate of recurrent bleeding during period of hospitalization that was detected through second endoscopy. Rebleeding occurred in 32 patients ; 15 in the High-Dose Cohort and 17 in the Low-Dose Control (p = 0.700). No significant differences between the two dose cohorts regarding the time of rebleeding (p = 0.243), endoscopic hemostasis mode (p = 1.000), and need for surgery (p = 0.306). The highdose regimen Inhospital mortality in high-dose group was 9.0% compared to 8.0% in the low-dose group (p = 0.800). Apart from the pre-hemostatic Forrest classification of ulcers, there were no significant differences between patients with re-bleeding ulcers (n=32) and those with non-rebleeding (n=168). Rebleeding was more common in class Ia, i.e. spurting bleeders (p < 0.001). Endoscopic hemostasis followed by the standard low-dose PPI regimen of 40 mg daily IV boluses is safe and effective option for bleeding peptic ulcers in the high-risk patients under regular hemodialysis.

Proton pump inhibitor use among patients at risk of peptic ulcer bleeding: a nationwide register-based study

Background Proton pump inhibitors reduce the risk of peptic ulcer bleeding in patients at risk. The knowledge about the extent of gastroprotection in patients at increased risk and factors associated with prophylactic treatment is limited. Aims (1) to analyze the extent of gastroprotective undertreatment in patients using aspirin/non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and (2) to analyze which patient characteristics are associated with proton pump inhibitor prophylaxis among those at increased ulcer bleeding risk. Methods A Danish nationwide register-based study. Based on a risk stratification model we identified citizens at increased ulcer bleeding risk and analyzed the proportion concomitantly treated with proton pump inhibitors. Further, we analyzed associations between use of ulcer prophylaxis and comorbidity and socioeconomic characteristics. Results Some 44.4% of the high-risk patients were concomitantly treated with proton pump inhibitors. In the crude analyses cohabiting, having a high educational level and a high income were significantly associated with lower odds of being treated with proton pump inhibitors. When adjusting for medication use, age, sex and comorbidity the associations were insignificant. Conclusions There is room for improvement in the extent of ulcer prophylaxis but no clear social gradient in under prescribing of gastroprotection. With the substantial risk-reducing possibility concomitant proton pump inhibitor use could save numerous patients from ulcer bleeding each year. Our study calls for increased awareness of peptic ulcer bleeding risk and dissemination of knowledge to clinicians about risk factors for gastrointestinal hemorrhage and the risk reducing potential of co-prescribing proton pump inhibitors to patients at risk.

Management of Peptic Ulcer Bleeding in Patients Taking Aspirin or Anticoagulant.

Antiplatelet and anticoagulation agents are increasingly prescribed for secondary prophylaxis in patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. These drugs are associated with an increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, including peptic ulcer bleeding. It is difficult to decide when to restart the agents after peptic ulcer bleeding in these patients because the risk of rebleeding and thromboembolism should be balanced. The Korean College of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research revised the guidelines for drug-induced peptic ulcers as evidence-based guidelines using a de novo process. This paper introduces new recommendations on the resumption of antiplatelet and anticoagulation agents after peptic ulcer bleeding based on the revised guidelines for drug-induced peptic ulcers.

Contribution of Helicobacter pylori infection to the risk of peptic ulcer bleeding in patients on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antiplatelet agents, anticoagulants, corticosteroids and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, low-dose aspirin, non-aspirin antiplatelet agents, anticoagulants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and corticosteroids increase the risk of gastroduodenal bleeding. To determine in a retrospective cohort study the contribution of Helicobacter pylori infection to the risk of peptic ulcer bleeding in patients taking these drugs. Among patients with peptic ulcer disease diagnosed by endoscopy from 01/2004 to 12/2014 (N=1719, 60% males, age 65.8±14.5), 56.9% had peptic ulcer bleeding (cases) and 43.1% uncomplicated peptic ulcer disease (controls). Demographics, intake of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin, non-aspirin antiplatelet agents, anticoagulants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, proton pump inhibitors and corticosteroids were documented. H.pylori status was determined by histology, rapid urease test or serology. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) were estimated by logistic regression analysis. Helicobacter pylori infection increased the risk of peptic ulcer bleeding in nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and aspirin users (OR=2.91, 95% CI=1.71-4.98 and OR=2.23, 95% CI=1.52-3.28, respectively), but not in patients on anticoagulants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or corticosteroid therapy. H.pylori-positive status substantially increased the risk of peptic ulcer bleeding in patients on non-aspirin antiplatelet agents (OR=4.37, 95% CI=1.28-14.99), concomitant aspirin/nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug intake (OR=5.85, 95% CI=1.68-20.36) and combined antiplatelet therapy (OR=8.43, 95% CI=1.09-65.17). After further adjustment for proton pump inhibitor intake, H.pylori infection was still a risk factor for peptic ulcer bleeding in nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and aspirin users. Helicobacter pylori infection increases the risk of peptic ulcer bleeding in peptic ulcer disease patients on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin and non-aspirin antiplatelet agents. H.pylori-positive patients on combined antiplatelet therapy carry the highest risk for peptic ulcer bleeding.

Диференційований індивідуальний підхід до лікування ерозивно-виразкових кровотеч у хворих, що отримують програмний гемодіаліз, у порівнянні з ПАПД при ХХН 5 ст

Мета роботи: покращення результатів комплексного лікування хворих із хронічною хворобою нирок (ХХН) 5 стадії, що от­римують програмний гемодіаліз (ПГД) та постійний амбулаторний перитонеальний діаліз (ПАПД) при ерозивно-виразкових кровотечах, шляхом оптимізації їх лікування з використанням відеоендоскопічних міні-інвазивних технологій.Матеріали ті методи. За період з жовтня 2012 по грудень 2016 р. на базі КМНПЦН та Д проліковано 1528 хворих на ПГД та 302 на ПАПД. З них чоловіків – 679 (36,1 %), жінок – 1151 (62,9 %).Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. В структурі пролікованих 1830 хворих, що проходили НЗТ (ПГД або ПАПД), у 349 (19,1 %) з них під час ендоскопічного обстеження виявлено ерозивно-виразкові ураження верхніх відділів травного тракту. Ерозивні гастропатії діагностовано у 191 (54,7 %) пацієнта, виразки шлунка – у 65 (18,6 %), виразки ДПК – у 93 (26,7 %).За період спостереження ерозивно-виразкові кровотечі виявлені у 46 пацієнтів. З них у 5 (11 %) пацієнтів мали місце ерозивні кровотечі, у 12 (26 %) – кровотечі з виразки шлунка, у 29 (63 %) – кровотечі з виразки ДПК. У всіх хворих кровотечі тяжкого ступеня. Слід зазначити, що ерозивно-виразкових кровотеч у хворих, що отримували ПАПД, не спостерігали.На ранніх етапах лікування даної категорії хворих кровотечі з виразок спонукали до хірургічного лікування (органозберігаючих – 7, у тому числі антрумектомії – 3). При цьому летальність досягала 33 % та була констатована у хворих на висоті кровотечі та тяжкого ступеня проявів синдрому метаболічної інтоксикації (СМІ). Останнє слугувало причиною перегляду тактики лікування хворих при даному ускладненні шляхом використання відеоендоскопічних міні-інвазивних методів гемостазу (електрокоагуляція – 34, хімічний гемостаз – 5, кліпування судини – 7). Рецидив кровотечі мав місце у 12 (7 %) хворих (3 хво­рих після хімічного гемостазу та 9 після електрокоагуляції), який долали повторними відеоендоскопічними комбінованими методами гемостазу, які не супроводжувалися летальністю. При цьому програма лікування у всіх випадках доповнювалася обов’язковим застосуванням монотерапії ІПП, надаючи перевагу 4 поколінню.

Peptic ulcer bleeding patients with Rockall scores ≥6 are at risk of long-term ulcer rebleeding: A 3.5-year prospective longitudinal study.

Patients with high Rockall scores have increased risk of rebleeding and mortality within 30days after peptic ulcer bleeding, but long-term outcomes deserve follow-up after cessation of proton pump inhibitors. The paper aimed to validate whether patients with high Rockall scores have more recurrent ulcer bleeding in a 3.5-year longitudinal cohort. Between August 2011 and July 2014, 368 patients with peptic ulcer bleeding were prospectively enrolled after endoscopic hemostasis to receive proton pump inhibitors for at least 8 to 16weeks. These subjects were categorized into either a Rockall scores ≥6 group (n=257) or a Rockall scores <6 group (n=111) and followed up until July of 2015 to assess recurrent ulcer bleeding. The proportion of patients with rebleeding during the 3.5-year follow-up was higher in patients with Rockall scores ≥6 than in those with scores <6 (10.51 vs. 3.63 per 100person-year, P=0.004, log-rank test). Among patients with Rockall scores ≥6, activated partial thromboplastin time prolonged ≥1.5-fold (P=0.045), American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status class ≥III (P=0.02), and gastric ulcer (P=0.04) were three additional independent factors found to increase rebleeding risk. The cumulative rebleeding rate was higher in patients with Rockall scores ≥6 with more than or equal to any two additional factors than in those with fewer than two additional factors (15.69 vs. 7.63 per 100person-year, P=0.012, log-rank test). Patients with Rockall scores ≥6 are at risk of long-term recurrent peptic ulcer bleeding. The risk can be independently increased by the presence of activated partial thromboplastin time prolonged ≥1.5-fold, American Society of Anesthesiologists class ≥III, and gastric ulcer in patients with Rockall scores ≥6.

Long-term prognosis in patients continuing taking antithrombotics after peptic ulcer bleeding.

AIMTo investigate the long-term prognosis in peptic ulcer patients continuing taking antithrombotics after ulcer bleeding, and to determine the risk factors that influence the prognosis.METHODSAll clinical data of peptic ulcer patients treated from January 1, 2009 to January 1, 2014 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Patients were divided into either a continuing group to continue taking antithrombotic drugs after ulcer bleeding or a discontinuing group to discontinue antithrombotic drugs. The primary outcome of follow-up in peptic ulcer bleeding patients was recurrent bleeding, and secondary outcome was death or acute cardiovascular disease occurrence. The final date of follow-up was December 31, 2014. Basic demographic data, complications, and disease classifications were analyzed and compared by t- or χ2-test. The number of patients that achieved various outcomes was counted and analyzed statistically. A survival curve was drawn using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the difference was compared using the log-rank test. COX regression multivariate analysis was applied to analyze risk factors for the prognosis of peptic ulcer patients.RESULTSA total of 167 patients were enrolled into this study. As for the baseline information, differences in age, smoking, alcohol abuse, and acute cardiovascular diseases were statistically significant between the continuing and discontinuing groups (70.8 ± 11.4 vs 62.4 ± 12.0, P < 0.001; 8 (8.2%) vs 15 (21.7%), P < 0.05; 65 (66.3%) vs 13 (18.8%), P < 0.001). At the end of the study, 18 patients had recurrent bleeding and three patients died or had acute cardiovascular disease in the continuing group, while four patients had recurrent bleeding and 15 patients died or had acute cardiovascular disease in the discontinuing group. The differences in these results were statistically significant (P = 0.022, P = 0.000). The Kaplan-Meier survival curve indicated that the incidence of recurrent bleeding was higher in patients in the continuing group, and the risk of death and developing acute cardiovascular disease was higher in patients in the discontinuing group (log-rank test, P = 0.000 for both). Furthermore, COX regression multivariate analysis revealed that the hazard ratio (HR) for recurrent bleeding was 2.986 (95%CI: 067-8.356, P = 0.015) in the continuing group, while HR for death or acute cardiovascular disease was 5.216 (95%CI: 1.035-26.278, P = 0.028).CONCLUSIONAfter the occurrence of peptic ulcer bleeding, continuing antithrombotics increases the risk of recurrent bleeding events, while discontinuing antithrombotics would increase the risk of death and developing cardiovascular disease. This suggests that clinicians should comprehensively consider the use of antithrombotics after peptic ulcer bleeding.

Helicobacter pylori eradication in complicated peptic ulcer: Beneficial in most?

Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy has a role in minimizing the complications of peptic ulcer disease, namely, bleeding, perforation, and obstruction. However, the precise role of H. pylori eradication therapy in the complicated ulcers remains inconclusive, especially in perforation and gastric outlet obstruction. The prevalence of H. pylori in peptic ulcer bleeding patients has been widely underestimated owing to the differences in diagnostic tests and patient characteristics, and hence, it is recommended that an initial negative test should be followed up by a delayed repeat testing to rule out false negativity. It is well established now that eradication of H. pylori in patients with bleeding ulcers reduces rebleeding and ulcer recurrence. Multiple studies have attributed high recurrence rates of duodenal ulcer following simple closure to a high prevalence of H. pylori infection. Eradication therapy decreases the recurrence rate of perforated ulcers, thus justifying the role of H. pylori eradication therapy following the primary surgical management of perforated ulcers. The role of H. pylori in duodenal ulcer with gastric outlet obstruction is yet to be evaluated clearly. There are some reports of resolution of gastric outlet obstruction following therapy for H. pylori, obviating the need for surgery. Clarithromycin-containing regimens are recommended as first-line in areas of low resistance, whereas bismuth-containing quadruple therapy is the first-line empirical treatment in areas of high clarithromycin resistance. Treatment of H. pylori is beneficial in most of the patients with complicated peptic ulcer disease, especially in reducing recurrence of ulcer with or without complications.

Low-Dose Aspirin-Associated Upper and Mid Gastrointestinal Tract Damage and Gene Polymorphism

The risk of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is increased in association with the use of low-dose aspirin (LDA). There are few studies of the association between genetic polymorphisms and the risks of aspirin-induced ulcer or its complications. Individuals with two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), A-842G and C50T, exhibit increased sensitivity to aspirin and lower prostaglandin synthesis capacity but the polymorphism lacked statistical significance in relation to an association with bleeding peptic ulcer. In our previous Japanese study, SLCO1B1 521TT genotype and the SLCO1B1 *1b haplotype were significantly associated with the risk of peptic ulcer and ulcer bleeding in patients taking LDA, especially in the patients with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), angiotensin type 1 receptor blocker (ARB), or statin co-treatment. Protonpump inhibitors (PPIs) are recommended for patients who require antiplatelet therapy and have a history of upper GI bleeding. The interaction between PPIs and consequent impaired effectiveness of clopidogrel has caused concern regarding the effect of genetic polymorphisms of the CYP2C19 which mediates conversion of clopidogrel to its active metabolite. The later recent genome-wide analysis of SNPs indicated the association of several SNPs with small bowel bleeding in Japanese patients taking LDA. The data are still lacking and further prospective studies are needed to identify the specific gene polymorphisms as risk or protective factors for GI bleeding associated with LDA.

Risk Factors Associated with Rebleeding in Patients with High Risk Peptic Ulcer Bleeding: Focusing on the Role of Second Look Endoscopy.

Re-bleeding after initial hemostasis in peptic ulcer bleeding can be life threatening. Identification of factors associated with re-bleeding is important. The aims of this study were to determine incidence of rebleeding in patients with high risk peptic ulcer bleeding and to evaluate factors associated with rebleeding. Among patients diagnosed as upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage at seven hospitals in Daegu-Gyeongbuk, and one hospital in Gyeongnam, South Korea, from Feb 2011 to Dec 2013, 699 patients diagnosed as high risk peptic ulcer bleeding with Forrest classification above llb were included. The data were obtained in a prospective manner. Among 699 patients, re-bleeding occurred in 64 (9.2 %) patients. Second look endoscopy was significantly more performed in the non-rebleeding group than the rebleeding group (81.8 vs 62.5 %, p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, larger transfusion volume (≥5 units), and non-performance of second look endoscopy were found as risk factors for rebleeding in high risk peptic ulcer bleeding. In our study, rebleeding was observed in 9.2 % of patients with high risk peptic ulcer bleeding. Performance of second look endoscopy seems to lower the risk of rebleeding in high risk peptic ulcer bleeding patients and caution should be paid to patients receiving high volume transfusion and on medication with NSAIDs.