KUMJ | VOL. 12 | NO. 1 | ISSUE 45 | JAN-MAR, 2014
A Study of Clinical and Endoscopic Profile of Acute Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Dewan KR, Patowary BS, Bhattarai S
Abstract: Backgroud
Acute Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding is a common medical emergency with a
hospital mortality of approximately 10 percent. Higher mortality rate is associated
with rebleeding. Rockall scoring system identifies patients at higher risk of rebleed
and mortality.
Objective
To study the clinical and endoscopic profile of acute upper gastrointestinal bleed to
know the etiology, clinical presentation, severity of bleeding and outcome.
Method
This is a prospective, descriptive hospital based study conducted in Gastroenterology
unit of College of Medical Sciences and Teaching Hospital, Bharatpur, Nepal from
January 2012 to January 2013. It included 120 patients at random presenting
with manifestations of upper gastrointestinal bleed. Their clinical and endoscopic
profiles were studied. Rockall scoring system was used to assess their prognosis.
Result
Males were predominant (75%). Age ranged from 14 to 88 years, mean being
48.76+17.19. At presentation 86 patients (71.7%) had both hematemesis and
malena, 24 patients (20%) had only malena and 10 patients (8.3%) had only
hematemesis. Shock was detected in 21.7%, severe anemia and high blood urea
were found in 34.2% and 38.3% respectively. Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding
endoscopy revealed esophageal varices (47.5%), peptic ulcer disease (33.3%),
erosive mucosal disease (11.6%), Mallory Weiss tear (4.1%) and malignancy (3.3%).
Median hospital stay was 7.28+3.18 days. Comorbidities were present in 43.3%.
Eighty six patients (71.7%) had Rockall score < 5 and 34 (28.3%) had >6. Five patients
(4.2%) expired. Risk factors for death being massive rebleeeding, comorbidities and
Rockall score >6.
Conclusion
Acute Upper Gastrointestinal bleeding is a medical emergency. Mortality is
associated with massive bleeding, comorbidities and Rockall score >6. Urgent,
appropriate hospital management definitely helps to reduce morbidity and
mortality.
Keyword : Comorbiditis, massive bleed, rockall score, upper gastrointestinal bleed