Journal of clinical gastroenterology
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J. Clin. Gastroenterol. · Oct 1994
Comparative StudyHospital care of acute nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding: 1991 versus 1981.
Developments important to the care of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding occurred in the 1980s. We compared the features, care, and outcome of patients hospitalized with acute nonvariceal UGI bleeding in 1991 (n = 216) and 1981 (n = 105). Most patient characteristics and the hemoglobin values were similar. ⋯ Rates of rebleeding (including patients readmitted for recurrent bleeding within 1 week of discharge) and surgery were similar. Mortality was 2.8% in 1991, similar to the 1981 death rate. Because of the excellent 1991 patient outcome, we continue to care for most patients with acute nonvariceal UGI bleeding with urgent endoscopy and short hospitalization.