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DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1704070
MORTALITY OF ACUTE LOWER GASTROINTESTINAL BLEEDING: A PROSPECTIVE, MULTICENTRE, COHORT STUDY
Publication History
Publication Date:
23 April 2020 (online)
Aims Acute lower GI bleeding (LGIB) is a common reason for hospitalization and death. This study was aimed to identify predictors of mortality in a large cohort of patients with acute LGIB.
Methods A multicentre, prospective, observational study on acute LGIB was conducted from October 1st 2018 to October 28th 2019 in 15 Italian hospitals. Consecutive, unselected adult outpatients acutely admitted for LGIB or developing LGIB during hospital stay were prospectively enrolled; those witch upper GI bleeding diagnosis were excluded. Demographic data, comorbidities, medications, interventions, and main clinical outcomes were recorded. Those significant related to in-hospital mortality at univariate analysis were included in a logistic regression model.
Results Data on 1198 cases (1060 new admissions; 138 inpatients) were analysed. Most patients were elderly (mean age 74+15 years) and 76% had at least one major comorbidity (Charlson Comorbidity Index > 1). A total of 117 (9.8%) patients received no inpatient investigation. In-hospital mortality was 3.4% (41 patients), and resulted significantly higher for inpatients than outpatients (6% vs. 2.7%, p< 0.001). At univariate analysis, increasing age, Charlson comorbidity Index, bleeding presentation (haemodynamic instability, melena, inpatient bleeding) and ICU admission were associated with higher mortality. Mortality was lower in patients admitted in GI or surgical units (vs. internal medicine) or taking antithrombotic drugs. No association was found between mortality and early colonoscopy. At multivariate analysis, independent predictors of mortality were age (OR 1.08; 95%CI, 1.04-1.13), Charlson comorbidity Index (OR 1.16; 95%CI, 1.01-1.34), in-hospital bleeding (OR; 3.57; 95%CI 1.38-9.29), haemodynamic instability at presentation (OR 2.60; 95%CI, 1.01-6.72), and ICU admission (OR 7.30; 95%CI, 1.43-37.13)
Conclusions Patient age, comorbidities, and severity of haemorrhage were the main determinants of in-patient mortality. These variables should be considered when triaging LGIB patients for immediate resuscitation, close observation and early treatment.