Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding (UGIB)
UGIB is defined as a haemorrhage occurring at any point between the mouth and the duodenum. It is the most common emergency seen by UK gastroenterologists with an overall incidence range of 50-150 per 100,000 of the population per year. In the UK there is a high mortality rate associated with UGIB, namely, 10% of people presenting with UGIB rising to 25% in established inpatients.
Major sudden blood loss is a life threatening event. Older people and people with medical conditions such as cardiac, respiratory or renal disease are at particular risk of dying. Another risk factor for death is chronic liver disease, for example alcoholic cirrhosis.
Men are more commonly affected than women and the incidence rates increase with age. Lower socioeconomic groups are also more commonly affected and the use of particular medication, especially in older people is also a recognised risk factor.
Management of UGIB patients involves stopping the bleeding and supporting medical co-morbidity.
