Time trends and outcome of gastrointestinal bleeding in the Veneto region: a retrospective population based study from 2001 to 2010

Abstract

Background: Gastrointestinal bleeding is the most frequent emergency for gastroenterologists. Despite advances in management, an improvement in mortality is still not evident.

Aim: Determining time trends of gastrointestinal bleeding hospitalization and outcomes from 2001 to 2010 in the Veneto Region (Italy).

Patients and methods: Data of patients admitted with gastrointestinal bleeding from Veneto regional discharge records were retrospectively evaluated. Chi-squared and multivariate logistic regression model were used.

Results: Overall, 44,343 patients (mean age 64.2 ± 8.6 years) with gastrointestinal bleeding were analysed: 23,450 (52.9%) had upper, 13,800 (31.1%) lower, and 7093 (16%) undefined gastrointestinal bleeding. Admission rate decreased from 108.0 per 100,000 in 2001 to 80.7 in 2010, mainly owing to a decrease in upper gastrointestinal bleeding (64.4 to 35.9 per 100,000, p<0.05). Reductions in hospital fatality rate (from 5.3% to 3%, p<0.05), length of hospital stay (from 9.3 to 8.7 days, p<0.05), and need for surgery (from 5.6% to 5%, p<0.05) were observed. Surgery (OR: 2.97, 95% CI: 2.59-3.41) and undefined gastrointestinal bleeding (OR: 2.89, 95% CI: 2.62-3.19) were found to be risk factors for mortality.

Conclusions: Patient admissions for gastrointestinal bleeding decreased significantly over the years, owing to a decrease in upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Improved outcomes could be related to regional dedicated clinical gastroenterological management.

Keywords: Incidence; Lower gastrointestinal bleeding; Mortality; Upper gastrointestinal bleeding.