RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The gastric and duodenal ulcer is the most common cause of gastrointestinal bleeding in 25% of patients, and accounting annually for approximately 50-100 admissions per 100,000 population. OBJECTIVE: To determine prevalence of gastrointestinal bleeding in hospital admission, according to age and sex and identifying the risk factors. METHOD: Determined the prevalence rates of number of hospital discharges of patients with gastrointestinal bleeding for GU and DU during period 1991 to 1997. Determined the prevalence rates of peptic ulcer occurrence for age-adjusted rates, sex and seasonal variation for 1000 hospital discharges. We investigated the features of hemorrhage of the upper gastrointestinal tract, and identification of risk factors as NSAID, alcohol and tobacco. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Chi square and t Student. RESULTS: The annual prevalence rates were 46.6/1000 hospital discharges. There were more frequent between 6th to 8th decades, female sex and during May, June and November. The average stay of patients were 4.2 days (range 1 to 18). A total of 275 patients were found to have GU or DU with gastrointestinal bleeding, 66% were male and mean age was 57 years. The risk factors found were tobacco 52%, alcohol 40% and NSAID 44% (P < 0.05). Melena and hematemesis was found in 64% y 36% respectively. The GU (41%) was more frequent than DU (40%) (P NS). CONCLUSIONS: The annual prevalence rates were 46.6/1000 hospital discharges more frequent in males (66%) and gastric ulcer was found more frequent (41%) than DU (P NS).
