Objective:
The aim of our study is to assess the patients admitted to Okmeydani Education and Research Hospital Emergency Clinic with upper gastrointestinal system (GIS) bleeding and referred to internal medicine department for inpatient treatment and follow-up.
Material and Methods:
Demographic data, complaints on admission, number of previous upper GIS bleedings, medication given that could cause bleeding, co-morbidities of all 99 patients participated in the study were recorded. Endoscopy findings, response to therapy, duration of hospitalization, transfusion requirements and cost of therapy were evaluated.
Results:
Causes of upper GIS bleeding were peptic ulcer (61,6%), erythematous gastritis (17,1%) and esophageal varices (6,05%). 35,3% of patients were using non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Cost of diagnosis and therapy per patient was 500 Turkish Liras. Cost of transfusion was calculated as %50 of all.
Conclusion:
Most common causes of upper GIS bleeding in patients referred to our emergency clinic were peptic ulcer, erythematous gastritis and esophageal varices in order of frequency. NSAID is an important factor. Transfusion costs constitutes approximately half of all expenses.
Keywords: etiology, health care costs, upper gastrointestinal system bleeding