Not All Nonvariceal Upper GI Bleeding Is the Same

Bleeding from ulcers is more severe than bleeding from other sources.

Most studies of nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) include peptic ulcers but exclude bleeding from Mallory-Weiss tears, vascular lesions, malignancies, and erosions.

In an analysis of prospectively collected, nationwide data on 4500 patients hospitalized with NVUGIB in the U.K., researchers examined differences in clinical characteristics and outcomes by etiology of bleeding. There were 1700 patients (38%) with ulcer-related bleeding and 2800 patients (62%) with non–ulcer-related bleeding. The following results were found:

Compared with patients with non–ulcer-related bleeding, patients with ulcer-related bleeding were:
- older (73 vs. 69 years)
- less likely to be taking a proton-pump inhibitor (18% vs. 32%)
- more likely to be tak…

Reviewing Author

John R. Saltzman, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardIterative Scopes

Editorial BoardsGastrointestinal Endoscopy; UpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican College of Gastroenterology (Trustee)

OtherVice President of Medical Affairs, 1Globe Health Institute