Short- and long-term outcomes for patients with variceal haemorrhage in a tertiary hospital.

BACKGROUND/AIM: To determine short- and long-term outcomes among a cohort of patients with variceal haemorrhage at a tertiary referral centre, and to determine the predictive value of the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score for mortality in these patients. METHODS: Prospective database hospital audit that captured patients who presented with or were transferred with variceal haemorrhage between 2004 and 2008, and a retrospective review of long-term outcomes. Patients who presented to or were transferred to John Hunter Hospital, a tertiary referral hospital, with confirmed variceal bleeding were included. The main outcome measures were in-hospital, 6 weeks and end-of-audit mortality. We also recorded cause, location and degree of planning surrounding the deaths in this patient group. We analysed the MELD score for patients with complete survival data. RESULTS: We recorded 93 episodes of variceal haemorrhage from 78 unique patients during the initial study period. The in-hospital mortality, 6 weeks mortality and end-of-audit mortality were 2.6, 9.0 and 59, respectively, and median survival time was 3.2 years (95% confidence interval 0.0, 6.1). The most frequent cause of death was related to complications of end-stage liver disease at 74%, followed by variceal bleeding (19%) and unknown (6%). A Cox proportional hazard model showed that the risk of mortality is increased by 1.06 (1.01-1.11) for each unit increase in MELD score. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term outcomes for patients with variceal bleeding continue to improve, but long-term prognosis remains guarded and should prompt further emphasis on advanced care planning to optimise patient care.

Bleeding peptic ulcer: characteristics and outcomes in Newcastle, NSW.

BACKGROUND: Peptic ulcer disease risk factors have changed, as has the impact of treatment on morbidity and mortality. Recent data on clinical presentation and outcome are sparse in Australia. AIM: To determine the characteristics and outcome of patients presenting with a bleeding peptic ulcer to a tertiary referral centre. METHODS: We evaluated patients diagnosed with peptic ulcer bleeding between 2004 and 2008 at a tertiary referral hospital. Variables assessed included demographic data, comorbidities, medication use and Rockall score. Outcomes of interest were the time to endoscopy, peptic ulcer treatment, transfusion requirements, urgent surgery and survival. RESULTS: Peptic ulcers were confirmed in 265 patients (55% male), of which 145 were gastric and 119 duodenal. The mean age was 71 years. On admission 38% of patients had haemodynamic instability and 92% had one or more comorbidity. Consumption of ulcerogenic medications at the time of admission was frequent (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) 22%, aspirin 41%, clopidogrel or warfarin 10%) and proton pump inhibitors infrequent (15%). A gastroenterologist managed all patients according to their usual practice. Only a minority of patients received over three units of packed red cells. Few patients were referred for surgery (3%) or died (3%), but both events were significantly higher for the duodenal ulcer group. CONCLUSION: The characteristics and outcomes in patients with peptic ulcer bleeding have changed. Peptic ulcer disease remains a public health problem with modifiable risk factors, such as Helicobacter pylori infection and NSAIDs, which should be targeted to reduce the burden of illness.