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Changing Epidemiology of Upper Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage in the Last Decade: A Nationwide Analysis

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Abstract

Background

Upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (UGIH) is common and carries substantial mortality requiring frequent hospitalizations.

Aim

To investigate trends in etiology and outcome of UGIH in hospitalized patients in the USA.

Methods

Retrospective, observational cohort study of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 2002 to 2012 was carried out. UGIH was identified in hospitalizations with a principle ICD-9-CM diagnosis of UGIH or secondary diagnosis of UGIH with a principal diagnosis of hematemesis, blood in stool, or gastrointestinal bleeding. Age 18 years or older was required for inclusion, and elective admissions and transferred patients were excluded.

Results

The hospitalization rate of UGIH in the USA decreased by 21% from 2002 to 2012, from 81 to 67 cases per 100,000 population (p < 0.01). The greatest declines occurred for gastritis and PUD, which decreased by 55 and 30%, respectively (p < 0.01). There were increases in neoplasm, Dieulafoy lesions, angiodysplasia, and esophagitis, which increased by 50, 33, 32 and 20%, respectively (p < 0.01). The all-cause inpatient mortality rate of UGIH decreased 28% from 2.6 per 100 cases in 2002 to 1.9 in 2012 (p < 0.01). The greatest decline occurred for esophagitis, Mallory–Weiss tear, and neoplasm, which decreased by 39% (p < 0.01), 36% (p = 0.02), and 36% (p < 0.01), respectively. The rate of hospitalization for bleeding caused by esophageal varices remained constant and low (approximately 2%) throughout the study period; the mortality for esophageal varices also remained constant at 6–7%.

Conclusions

The epidemiology of UGIH hemorrhage appears to be shifting, with a decline in PUD and gastritis; an increase in hospitalization rate for neoplasm, Dieulafoy lesions, angiodysplasia, and esophagitis; and a reduction in overall mortality. The decreasing hospitalization rate and mortality rate of UGIH suggest population trends in use of treatments for PUD, improved hemostatic techniques, and overall care.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, 96 Jonathan Lucas Street, Suite 803, MSC 623, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA

    Brandon A. Wuerth & Don C. Rockey

Authors
  1. Brandon A. Wuerth
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  2. Don C. Rockey
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Contributions

Brandon A. Wuerth were involved in the study of the concept and design; acquisition of data; analysis and interpretation of data; drafting of the manuscript; critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content. Don Rockey helped in the study of the concept and design; analysis and interpretation of data; drafting of the manuscript; critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content, supervisory efforts.

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Correspondence to Don C. Rockey.

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The authors have no conflict of interest or funding related to this study.

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Wuerth, B.A., Rockey, D.C. Changing Epidemiology of Upper Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage in the Last Decade: A Nationwide Analysis. Dig Dis Sci 63, 1286–1293 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-017-4882-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-017-4882-6

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