Etiological Profile of Patients Presenting With Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding - One Year Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background and objectives Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding is one of the common medical emergencies. Geographically there is wide variation in the etiology. The present study was an attempt to find out the etiological profile of patients presenting with upper gastrointestinal bleeding so as to choose the optimal endoscopic therapy and further management. Methodology The present one year cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Medicine and Gastro-enterology, KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Belgaum. A total of 50 patients presenting with upper gastro-intestinal bleeding during the study period that is January 2013 to December 2013 were included. The selected patients underwent upper GI endoscopy. Results Majority of the patients were males (94%) and male to female ratio was 15.66:1. The commonest age groups were 40 to 50 years and 61 to 70 years comprised of 24% of patients each and mean age was 52.78 ± 13.52 years. Most of the patients reported past history of liver disease (28%) and alcohol consumption was noted in 44%. 76% of the patients presented with hematemesis. On clinical examination most of the patients (68%) had pallor followed by hepatosplenomegaly(50%). On UGI endoscopy, 54% of patients had esophageal varices as the source of bleed. The commonest diagnosis was cirrhosis of liver-alcohol induced with portal hypertension noted among 26% of the patients. Conclusion Upper GI bleeding is widely prevalent among males and patient is likely to present with hematemesis and melena with history of liver disease. Esophageal varices is the commonest cause of upper gastro-intestinal bleeding.