Özet:

Objective: In this study, it was aimed at evaluating demographic and laboratory characteristics of the patients with upper gastrointestinal system (GIS) bleeding defines the factors leading to bleeding. Methods: The study included 285 patients aged between 18 and 89 years who were followed and treated for upper GIS bleeding in our Internal Medicine Clinics. Patients' demographic and laboratory data, endoscopic findings, treatment methods, hospitalization length and need for blood transfusions were determined. Results: The average age was 62.7±18.3 years with the male/female ratio of 2.2/1. The most common finding was melena (45.3%), and the second melena with hematemesis (33%). 76.84% of the patients had the history of drug use, mostly non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (45. 26%) and aspirin (23.86%). The average hospitalization length was 8.3±4.9 days. Blood transfusion was required in 74.04% with the average 3.14±1.41 units. Bloeding recurrence was seen in 10.25%. Duodenal ulcer was observed as the most common cause of GIS bleeding (29.82%) and gastric ulcer was the second (21.75%). The treatment methods were medical in 73.34%, endoscopic sclerotherapy in 22.46%, hemoclips in 1.40% and band ligation in 0.70% of the patients. Upper GIS bleedings were mostly occurred in August (11.9%) and least occurred in December (3.5%). The majority of the patients have history of drug use, such as NSAIDs and aspirin leading to bleeding. We suggest that the use of these drugs should be controlled and used only with accurate indications especially in elderly patients.

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