Gastrointestinal bleeding due to peptic ulcers and erosions - a prospective observational study (BLUE study)

Risk factors for peptic ulcer bleeding one year after the initial episode

BACKGROUND

Peptic ulcers are a common gastrointestinal disease that could cause death when combined with bleeding. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for peptic ulcer bleeding (PUB) recurrence after the initial episode.

METHODS

This retrospective study analyzed medical records of PUB patients who were admitted through the emergency department between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2022. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify independent risk factors predicting readmission due to recurrent PUB within one year.

RESULTS

A total of 775 PUB inpatient samples were collected, among which 172 and 603 were placed respectively in the readmission group and non-readmission group. Multivariate analysis indicated that PUB inpatients who were aged 70 or above (OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.06-2.47), had more severe ulcers (Forrest 1a, 1b, 2a, or 2b) (OR = 2.41, 95% CI:1.57-3.71), had a CCI score of 3 or higher (OR = 2.25, 95% CI:1.45-3.50), had a medical history of peptic ulcers (OR = 3.87, 95% CI:2.56-5.85), had a medical history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) (OR = 2.31, 95% CI:1.53-3.50), or had an international normalized ratio (INR) > 1.2 on admission (OR = 2.14, 95% CI:1.28-3.57) were respectively more likely to be readmitted within a year due to PUB than those who were under the age of 70, had less severe ulcers (Forrest 2c or 3), had a CCI score of less than 3, had no medical history of peptic ulcers, had no medical history of CVD, or had admission INR ≤ 1.2.

CONCLUSION

This study confirmed that age (≥70 years), Forest classification (Forrest 1a, 1b, 2a, or 2b), multiple comorbidities, a medical history of peptic ulcers, a medical history of CVD, and admission INR > 1.2 were independent risk factors for patient readmission within a year due to recurrent PUB.

Relationship between periulcer mucosal inflammatory status and recurrent bleeding after successful treatment of gastric ulcer bleeding and establishment of an early warning model

BACKGROUND

Gastrointestinal bleeding tends to recur and may cause mortality, and there are multiple risk factors for gastroin-testinal bleeding. Therefore, comprehensive data is urgently needed in clinical practice to predict the adverse prognosis of peptic ulcer bleeding, in order to more accurately manage patients in a hierarchical manner.

AIM

To analyze the relationship between periulcer mucosal inflammatory status and recurrent bleeding after successful treatment of gastric ulcer bleeding, and establish an early warning model based on this.

METHODS

Three hundred and seven patients with gastric ulcer bleeding admitted to the Second People's Hospital of Lishui City from January 2020 to December 2022 were retrospectively selected. The situation and duration of gastric ulcer rebleeding after successful initial hemostasis were recorded. The differences in clinical indicators, inclu-ding periulcer mucosal inflammatory status, were compared between the recurrent bleeding group and the non-recurrent bleeding group, using a multifactor Cox regression model, to identify the factors that affect rebleeding and establish a nomogram model for predicting rebleeding.

RESULTS

Kaplan-Meier curve analysis showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the occurrence of gastric ulcer rebleeding during the follow-up period between groups with different levels of periulcer mucosal inflammation (P < 0.05). Periulcer mucosal inflammatory status, use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, alcohol consumption, ulcer size, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, and Forrest grade were identified to be factors affecting the recurrence of bleeding after successful treatment of gastric ulcer bleeding (P < 0.05). Multifactor Cox regression analysis showed that periulcer mucosal inflammatory status, use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, alcohol consumption, H. pylori infection, and Forrest grade were independent risk factors for recurrent bleeding after successful treatment of gastric ulcer bleeding (P < 0.05). The discriminability and calibration of the nomo-gram developed for the prediction of rebleeding risk were good.

CONCLUSION

The more severe the periulcer mucosal inflammation, the higher the risk of rebleeding. The development of the predictive model for the recurrence of gastric ulcer bleeding after successful treatment based on periulcer mucosal inflammatory status can help clinicians identify high-risk patients early.

Predictive value of gastrointestinal symptoms and patient risk factors for NSAID-associated gastrointestinal ulcers defined by endoscopy? Insights from a pooled analysis of two naproxen clinical trials

OBJECTIVE

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used to treat pain and rheumatic conditions. To facilitate patient management, we determined the predictive value of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and risk factors for the development of NSAID-associated GI injuries.

METHODS

Post-hoc analysis of pooled data from naproxen treatment arms of two identical, randomized, double-blind, controlled phase 3 trials in arthritis patients at risk of GI adverse events. Endoscopic incidence of GI ulcers at baseline, and 1, 3, and 6 months was employed as a surrogate parameter for GI injury. For GI symptom analysis, Severity of Dyspepsia Assessment questionnaire was used. For GI risk factor analysis, the high risk factors: previous GI injury, concomitant selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or corticosteroids, ulcer history, concomitant low-dose aspirin, and age >65 years were employed.

RESULTS

Data of 426 naproxen patients were analyzed. Distribution of GI symptoms between patients with and without ulcer was similar; about one third of patients developing an ulcer reported no GI pain symptoms. GI symptoms experienced under naproxen treatment were thus not indicative of GI injury. The proportion of patients developing an ulcer increased with the number of risk factors present, however, about a quarter of patients without any of the analyzed risk factors still developed an ulcer.

CONCLUSION

GI symptoms and the number of risk factors are not reliable predictors of NSAID-induced GI injury to decide which patients need gastroprotection and will lead to a large group of patients with GI injuries. A preventive rather than reactive approach should be taken.

Treatment and outcome of gastrointestinal bleeding due to peptic ulcers and erosions - (BLUE study)

OBJECTIVES

Peptic ulcers and erosions are the most common causes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The aim of this study was to investigate the management and outcomes of these patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 543 patients with endoscopically confirmed bleeding from peptic ulcers and erosions were included from March 2015 to December 2017. The patient characteristics, endoscopic findings, Forrest classification and endoscopic treatment were recorded. Moreover, the rebleeding rates, repeated endoscopies and transcatheter angiographic embolization and surgery incidences were registered. A follow-up endoscopy after discharge from the hospital was scheduled.

RESULTS

Among the patients, high-risk stigmata ulcers were present in 36% (198/543) and low-risk stigmata ulcers and erosions in 60% (327/543) at first endoscopy. Endoscopic therapy was performed in 30% (165/543) of the patients, and hemostasis was achieved in 94% (155/165). The incidence of rebleeding was 9% (49/543) for the whole cohort and 14.8% (23/155) for those patients who had received successful endoscopic treatment. Moreover, rebleeding was significantly more frequent in duodenal ulcers than in gastric ulcers (11.9% vs 4.0%, p = .004). In a multivariable analysis, rebleeding was significantly related to comorbidity and Forrest classification. Transcatheter angiographic embolization and surgery were required in 6% (34/543) and 0.07% (4/543) of patients, respectively. Complete peptic ulcer healing was found at follow-up in 73.3% (270/368) of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic hemostasis was achieved in the majority of patients with high-risk ulceration, although the occurrence of rebleeding is a significant challenge, especially in patients with duodenal ulcers. Clinical trial registration: Bleeding Ulcer and Erosions Study (BLUE Study), ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03367897.

Hypotension develops one to two hours before other symptoms in peptic ulcer rebleeding; a matched cohort study

BACKGROUND

Rebleeding is a frequent complication of peptic ulcer bleeding (PUB) and is associated with increased mortality. Blood pressure and heart rate are two easy non-invasive measurements to evaluate the hemodynamics and therefore a standard observation during hospitalization.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to investigate the dynamics of systolic blood pressure and heart rate up to time of peptic ulcer rebleeding.

DESIGN

Retrospective matched cohort study. Hemodynamics in patients with peptic ulcer rebleeding was compared to hemodynamics in a matched control group consisting of patients with PUB without rebleeding. Blood pressure and heart rate in the six hours up to diagnosis of rebleeding was compared with baseline in the case cohort as well as with the matched control group.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight patients with peptic ulcer rebleeding and 66 controls were included. Mean age was 75 years, 62% were males and 30-day mortality was 23%. Baseline systolic blood pressure in cases was 114 mmHg. Compared to baseline, we found significant decrease in systolic blood pressure two hours before rebleeding (4 mmHg; p = 0.041) and one hour before rebleeding (14 mmHg; p = 0.0002). Mean systolic blood pressure 30 min before rebleeding was 89 mmHg. No significant change was found in heart rate (p = 0.99). In the control group no change was found in systolic blood pressure or heart rate.

CONCLUSION

In patients with peptic ulcer rebleeding, hypotension develops 1-2 h before other symptoms of rebleeding. Thus, close monitoring of blood pressure is needed in order to ensure early identification of rebleeding in high-risk patients.