Analysis of 1242 cases with upper gastrointestinal system bleeding in Southeastern Turkey: a different etiologic spectrum.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: There are few detailed reports on gastrointestinal system bleeding in Turkey. The aim of this study is to analyze the characteristics of the patients with upper gastrointestinal system bleeding who were hospitalized in our clinic.

METHODOLOGY: The patients who were hospitalized in Dicle University Hospital Department of Gastroenterology from March 1992 to June 2002 were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

During this period of time, 296 females (23.8%) and 946 males (76.2%), total 1242 patients were hospitalized for upper gastrointestinal system bleeding. Mean age was 47 for both sexes. Distribution of the cases was as follows: 31.6% duodenal ulcer (n: 393), 30.5% esophageal variceal bleeding (n: 379), 13.7% erosive gastritis (n: 171), 6.8% erosive duodenitis (n: 85), 4.9% gastric ulcer (n: 62), 2.8% carcinoma (n: 35), and 3.5% other causes. Peptic ulcer related bleeding was the most encountered reason (37.5%, n: 466). Four percent of the cases other than esophageal variceal bleeding underwent urgent surgical intervention. Eleven percent of the cases (n: 138) resulted in death of which 65.9% were esophageal variceal bleeding (n: 91).

CONCLUSIONS

The most striking result is the very high rate of esophageal variceal bleeding. This finding is in concordance with the high prevalence of the viral hepatitis in the region.