CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE

FREQUENCY OF NON VARICEAL UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL BLEEDING IN THE PATIENTS

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the frequency of non variceal upper gastrointestinal
bleeding in the patients of chronic liver disease. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place
and Duration of Study: All medical wards of Civil Hospital and Ojha campus, Dow University
of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan from May 2013 to January 2015. Methodology: A total of
267 patients of chronic liver disease (CLD) who presented with upper GI bleed (hematemesis or
melena) were included in this study. Before the endoscopic procedures, patients were clinically
evaluated by gastroenterology fellows at the time of patient’s presentation. Upper GI endoscopy
was performed within 48 hours in all hemodynamically stable patients. Results: The average
age of the patients was 44.27±12.13 years. Frequency of non variceal upper gastrointestinal
bleeding (NVUGIB) in the patients of chronic liver disease was 56.93% (152/167). Conclusion:
It is concluded that current magnitude of NVUGIB is very high in cirrhotic patients therefore
adequate planning and knowledge of the specific mechanisms explaining the prognostic
factors of NVUGIB to prevent it and thereby reducing the morbidity and mortality in Chronic
Liver Disease.