Gastrointestinal Bleeding with Dabigatran, a Comparative Study with Warfarin: A Multicenter Experience / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The risk of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding with dabigatran when compared to warfarin has been controversial in the literature. The aim of our study was to assess this risk with the use of dabigatran. METHODS: We examined the medical records of patients who were started on dabigatran or warfarin from October 2010 to October 2012. The study was conducted in two hospitals. RESULTS: A total of 417 patients were included (208 dabigatran vs. 209 warfarin). GI bleeding occurred in 10 patients (4.8%) in the dabigatran group compared to 21 patients (10.1%) in the warfarin group (p=0.0375). Multivariate analysis showed that patients who were on dabigatran for 100 days (p=0.0007). The odds of GI bleeding in patients who were on dabigatran for 100 days. The incidence of GI bleeding in patients >65 years old was higher than in those 65 years, and a history of previous GI bleeding.

Risk Factors of Recurrent Ischemic Colitis: A Multicenter Retrospective Study / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recurrence of ischemic colitis (IC) has not been studied extensively. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of recurrent IC in the community setting and to identify any risk factors. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study in two community hospitals. Medical records of patients with IC from January 2007 to January 2013 were reviewed. Demographic details, clinical features, co-morbidities, concomitant use of medications, laboratory studies, imaging findings, endoscopic and histological features, surgery, hospital stay, and death within 30 days were collected. Patients were divided into two groups (recurrent IC group, non-recurrent IC group). RESULTS: A total of 118 patients with IC were identified. IC recurred in 10 patients (8.5%) during the study period. Half of the patients in the recurrent IC group were current smokers as compared to only 18.7% of patients in the non-recurrent group. In the recurrent IC group, 20.0% of patients never smoked as compared to 61.7% in the non-recurrent group (p=0.027). Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) was more frequent in the recurrent IC group (40.0% vs. 4.7%; p=0.003). No differences in other clinical symptoms, CT scan findings, comorbidities, endoscopic features, or use of concomitant medications were observed between the two groups. The need for surgical intervention, blood transfusion, intensive care unit stay, mechanical ventilation, length of hospital stay, and anatomic location of affected segments did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: IC recurred in 8.5% of patients during the six-year study period. Current smoking status and presence of AAA were identifying risk factors for recurrence of IC.