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- Title
A prospective audit of gastrointestinal bleeding at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital (December 2013 - February 2014).
- Authors
Jurawan, R.; Jorda, E.; King, D.
- Abstract
BACKGROUND: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a common medical emergency with significant mortality and morbidity. Adherence to up to date protocols can potentially minimize complications. OBJECTIVES: This study reviews the demographics, clinical presentation, endoscopic findings and treatment strategies of patients with UGIB seen at the Port of Spain General Hospital (POSGH), Trinidad and Tobago between December 2013 and February 2014 in an attempt to determine if timely and appropriate management was administered according to accepted standards. STUDY DESIGN: Data was collected prospectively using a data collection tool once a patient presented with features suggestive of an UGIB during the intended study period. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients with UGIB admitted to POSGH December 2013 and February 2014 were reviewed. Once a diagnosis was suspected, patient data were collected and analyzed. Data collected included age, gender, ethnicity, presenting symptom, co-morbid condition and concurrent drug therapy, time to intervention, endoscopic findings and management strategies. RESULTS: There were 87 patients, mostly female with a mean age of greater than 60 years of age, admitted with UGIB. 57% patients presented with melaena. 29.8% patients had Cardiovascular disease with 29% using anti-platelet therapy (Aspirin or Clopidogrel). Overall 85% of patients were referred within first twenty four hours with 66% receiving proton pump inhibitor infusion on presentation. Duodenal ulcer was most common finding on endoscopy (29 patients) and the most needed intervention was thermo-coagulation (20 patients). CONCLUSION: UGIB remains a commonly encountered medical emergency. It is imperative that early resuscitation and early referral for endoscopy preferably within the first 24 hours of presentation be done to reduce morbidity and mortality.
- Subjects
PORT of Spain (Trinidad &; Tobago); TRINIDAD &; Tobago; GASTROINTESTINAL hemorrhage; PROTON pump inhibitors; DUODENAL ulcers; MEDICAL emergencies
- Publication
Caribbean Medical Journal, 2015, Vol 77, Issue 2, p3
- ISSN
0374-7042
- Publication type
Article