Endoscopic findings in upper gastrointestinal bleeding patients at Prince Hashem Hospital

ABSTRACT

To determine the frequency and underlying cases of upper endoscopic findings among patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding who presented to Prince Hashem Hospital. This study was conducted between July 2002 and June 2003 involving 94 patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding seen at Prince Hashem Hospital. Upper endoscopy was performed within 24 hours of presentation. Patients were inquired about current use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Data were analyzed with respect to patients' age, gender, and endoscopic findings. About two thirds of patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding were males irrespective of the cause. Bleeding peptic ulcer disease was the commonnest cause [74%].with relation to the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, followed by bleeding esophagogastric varices [7.4%]. Malignant gastric tumours and Mallory-Weiss tears rated 6.4% and 4.3%, respectively. Normal upper endoscopy was found in 3.2% of all cases of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Bleeding peptic ulcer disease remains the leading cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and mostly in males. There is a relation between upper gastrointestinal bleeding of peptic ulcer disease and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and Aspirin. Further studies are needed to determine mortality rate and the frequency of patients who required surgery