Factors Effecting Mortality and Demographic Properties of Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department of Akdeniz University Hospital with Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Abstract

Study Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the factors effecting mortality and demographic properties of patients presenting to the emergency department with upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
Methods: Triage categories, presenting complaints, gender, final diagnosis, vital signs, presenting hemoglobin and hematocrit values, associated comorbid illness, endoscopic results, number of transfusions, surgical interventions, number of death and medication usage were recorded.
Results: 196 patients were enrolled to the study. There were no statistical significance at admission and mortality rate between old (>65) and young patients. Rebleeding, diastolic blood pressure level at admission and number of transfused blood components were associated with mortality. Systolic blood pressure, level of admission hemoglobin and hematocrit values, pulse rate, existence of comorbid illness, medication usage were not associated with mortality rate. Endoscopic examination was performed to 165 patients. The most common reasons of UGH were variceal bleeding, duodenal ulcer and gastric ulcer.
Conclusions: Demographic data of patients with gastrointestinal bleeding are consistent with the literature. The initial diastolic blood pressure results were determined to be associated with the mortality. Age, gender, systolic blood pressure, hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, surgical interventions, and the use of drugs were not predictive for mortality. Although many variables assessed for patients with gastrointestinal bleeding in the emergency department were not found predictive for mortality, detailed evaluation and close monitoring of these patients in the emergency department were vital.