Lower gastrointestinal haemorrhage (LGH) is a frequent reason for medical referral. It has an annual incidence ranging between 17 and 20.5 cases per 100,000 adults and represents 20-30% of all gastrointestinal haemorrhages.
Objective: To evaluate the evolution of the etiologic spectrum of lower gastrointestinal bleeding.
Methods: All the files of patients with lower gastrointestinal bleeding admitted in our unit between 1990 and 2001 were reviewed retrospectively. The annual admission and annual admission rates for each disease (disease/total LGH in a specific year) were analysed using linear regression.
Results: We identified 2565 patients with LGH (mean age 50.8+/-8.7 years, 1338 (52%) men and 1227 (48%) women). The annual number of patients had a linear increase (p<0.05) from 103 in 1990 to 399 in 2001. The mean age of the patients increased linearly from 48.5 to 53 years (p<0.05). The annual rate for some specific diseases has changed over time. There was a trend of increase for the colorectal cancer and polyps, which reach statistical significance for diverticular disease and haemorrhoids (p<0.05). While the annual incidence for ulcerative colitis remained constant the annual rates decrease. For Crohn disease, angiodysplasia and radiation colitis no changes was found.