Hospitalized Incidence and Outcomes of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Thailand
Apichat Sangchan MD*, Kookwan Sawadpanitch MD*, Pisaln Mairiang MD*, Kitti Chunlertrith MD*, Wattana Sukeepaisarnjaroen MD*, Sumitr Sutra MD**, Yupa Thavornpitak MSc***
Affiliation : * Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand ** Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand *** Department of Biostatistics and Demography, Faculty of Public Health, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Background : Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a common emergency gastrointestinal problem which has substantial
mortality and health care resources use. The nationwide basic information on UGIB is not available in Thailand.
Objective : To identify the hospitalized incidence, outcomes and hospitalization cost of patients who presented with UGIB in
Thailand.
Material and Method: Information on illness of in-patients from hospitals nationwide was retrieved from three major health
schemes database in fiscal year 2010.
Results : The hospitalized incidence rate of UGIB was 166.3 admissions per 100,000 populations and the hospitalized
incidence rate of non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) and variceal bleeding were 152.9 and 13.5 admissions
per 100,000 populations respectively. Endoscopic procedure was undertaken in 27.6% of NVUGIB admissions and 80.7%
of variceal bleeding admissions. The in-hospital mortality rate, hospitalization cost and length of stay were higher in variceal
bleeding patients compared with NVUGIB patients.
Conclusion : UGIB is an important emergency gastrointestinal problem which has significant mortality and substantial
health care resources consumption.
Keywords : Gastrointestinal hemorrhage, Upper gastrointestinal bleeding, Peptic ulcer bleeding, Variceal bleeding, Health care costs, Epidemiology
