[Gastrointestinal bleeding revealing polycythemia. A case report].

PURPOSE: Gastrointestinal bleeding, an uncommon complication of polycythemia can be the inaugural sign in exceptional cases.

CASE REPORT: A 35-year-old patient was hospitalized for upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Physical examination and laboratory tests led to the diagnosis of polycythemia (Vaquez disease). Gastroscopy showed an hemorrhagic bulber ulcer. Outcome was favorable after chemotherapy and antinuclear treatment.

CONCLUSION

Based on this observation and data in the literature we propose that this unusual presentation would suggest a relationship between polycythemia and ulcer disease.