Do Elders Face Worse Prognoses in Acute Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding?

Researchers examined whether comorbidities and severity of bleeding are more reliable than patient age as predictors of clinical outcome in UGIB.

Elders with upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) are thought to have worse prognoses than do their younger counterparts. However, the data to support this idea came from an earlier treatment era, before aggressive endoscopic and pharmacologic therapy became standard of care.

To determine if advanced age is associated with worse outcomes in UGIB, investigators performed a prospective, observational study of all patients hospitalized for UGIB from 2005 to 2006 in 53 hospitals in France. The study involved 1041 patients aged ≥75 (defined as elders) and 2246 younger patients. Data were collected on comorbidities, drug history, endoscopy results, treatment, and clinical course.

Causes of bleeding differed significantly between the two groups: Th…

Reviewing Author

David J. Bjorkman, MD, MSPH (HSA), SM (Epid.)

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

David J. Bjorkman, MD, MSPH (HSA), SM (Epid.)

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Do Elders Face Worse Prognoses in Acute Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding?

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Reviewing Author