Pattern of upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage in northern India—An endoscopic study of 316 patients |
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Authors: | J B DILAWARI UPJEET KAUR V A NARAYANAN PHILLIP AUGUSTINE JAYARAM DAS HASSAN ALI P BAMBERY |
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Institution: | Departments of Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education &Research, Chandigarh, India |
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Abstract: | Three hundred and sixteen patients with acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage were studied prospectively and consecutively. The most frequent cause was variceal bleeding due to portal hypertension (36%), followed by peptic ulceration (24%) and gastric erosions (19%). Variceal haemorrhage tended to be severe and had a high individual mortality rate. Associated acute mucosal lesions with portal hypertension were strikingly less frequent when compared with the experience from the West. Seven per cent of patients died of bleeding alone and an equal number of an associated systemic disorder or complication. Splenomegaly was present in all patients with a variceal haemorrhage due to non-cirrhotic portal hypertension. However, in patients with portal hypertension due to cirrhosis splenomegaly was present in 63%. Endoscopy altered the clinical diagnosis in 13.2% of patients. Based on previous experience oesophago-gastro-duodenal endoscopy has been a useful tool in the management of acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage. |
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Keywords: | endoscopy gastrointestinal haemorrhage oesophago-gastro-duodenal endoscopy peptic ulceration portal hypertension variceal haemorrhage |
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