Antithrombotic drugs and non-variceal bleeding outcomes and risk scoring systems: comparison of Glasgow Blatchford, Rockall and Charlson scores.

Objectives: Antithrombotic drugs (ATDs) cause non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB). Risk scoring systems have not been validated in ATD users. We compared Blatchford, Rockall and Charlson scores in predicting outcomes of NVUGIB in ATD users and controls.

Occult vs. overt upper gastrointestinal bleeding - inverse relationship and the use of mucosal damaging and protective drugs.

Background: While efforts have focused on the prevention of overt upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB), little is known about occult GIB, which might also originate from sites not protected by acid inhibition.

Aim: To measure the incidence and outcomes of both overt and occult GIB over a 6-year period (2007-2012), and to assess the use of NSAIDs, anti-thrombotic therapy (ATT), proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), and iron therapy.

Methods: A sample of 300 patients (100 from each of three index years) with occult GIB was randomly selected and their outcomes were compared with those of patients with overt UGIB (N = 869).

Falling mortality when adjusted for comorbidity in upper gastrointestinal bleeding: relevance of multi-disciplinary care.

Objectives: The understanding of changes in comorbidity might improve the management of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB); such changes might not be detectable in short-term studies. We aimed to study UGIB mortality as adjusted for comorbidity and the trends in risk scores over a 14-year period.

Methods: Patients presenting with UGIB to a single institution, 1996-2010, were assessed.

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding in hospital inpatients: the role of antithrombotic drugs.

Background: Critically ill patients are considered to be most at risk from developing non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVGIB) while in hospital. The increasing prescription of low-dose aspirin and other antithrombotic drugs for protection against thromboembolism to many patients admitted to hospital may increase the vulnerability of a wider group to NVGIB.

Objective: This study compares two groups of patients with NVGIB: group I, inpatients cared for outside the intensive care unit; and group II, patients admitted with this condition, while considering the use of antithrombotic drugs.