The Clinical Presentation and Etiological Profiles of Patients with Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding admitted to Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), January 2022 – December 2023
Introduction
Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding (UGIB) is a prevalent medical emer gency
associated with significant morbidity , mortality , and a heavy burden on healthcare systems
globally . As Guyana’s national referral hospital, the Geor getown Public Hospital Corporation
(GPHC) manages many of these cases. However , there is a scarcity of local institutional
data, which hinders the development of tar geted management protocols and the improvement of
clinical outcomes for this condition.
Objectives
To evaluate the demographic and social factors of patients admitted with UGIB. To
determine the main etiological factors and the prevalence of H. pylori in this population. To identify
the common clinical presentations and to assess patient outcomes, including the need for blood
products, incidence of re-bleeds, and mortality .
Method
An institutional-based, retrospective, analytical cross-sectional study was conducted.
Data was collected from the medical records of 302 patients over 18 years of age who were
admitted to the GPHC Internal Medicine Department with a primary diagnosis of UGIB between
January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023. Patient demographics, social history , clinical
presentation, etiology , H. pylori status, and outcomes were analyzed.
Results
The highest incidence of UGIB was in the 60-69 age group. Patients were
predominantly male (61.9%) and of East Indian descent (45.4%). The most common known
causes were gastritis (25.2%) and peptic ulcer disease (19.9%). However , 40.1% of cases had an
unknown etiology . Of the 25.2% of patients who underwent H. pylori testing, 52% were positive.
40.1% of patients required blood transfusions, 9.9% experienced a rebleed, and the in-hospital
mortality rate was 10.6%.
Conclusion
This study identified key local demographic risk factors and clinical trends for
UGIB. Gastritis and peptic ulcer disease are the leading identifiable causes, though a high
percentage of cases remain undiagnosed. The mortality and transfusion rates highlight the
severity of the condition within this setting, providing essential data for enhancing diagnostic and
therapeutic strategies.