ABSTRACT
Introduction: Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) has been recognized as the leading cause of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (AUGIB). This study aims to report general features of bleeding peptic ulcers in patients who benefit of urgent endoscopy in our department after an acute upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Results: A total of 1809 patients were explored for acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding in our unit since 2003 to 2008. Gastroduodenal peptic ulcers were the most frequent diagnosed etiology. They present 38% of all reported causes of bleeding (n=527) (table I). 25% were located at duodenal mucosa (n= 347) and 13% were gastric ulcers (n=180). No esophageal ulcers were reported. Incidence of both duodenal and gastric ulcers decreases during the last years. Conclusion: In our department; incidence of bleeding peptic ulcer disease is decreasing but they continue to be the first cause of AUGIB