The long-term management of patients with bleeding duodenal ulcers.
BACKGROUND
Gastrointestinal haemorrhage is a common complication of duodenal ulcers. Patients who bleed are at substantial risk of recurrent bleeding.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether appropriate therapeutic steps were taken to reduce the risk of recurrent haemorrhage in patients with a bleeding duodenal ulcer.


METHODS
The management of patients surviving a duodenal ulcer bleed in the University Hospital. Nottingham, was assessed by case-note review before (1993) and after (1995-1996) institution of clinical guidelines. The following measures aimed at reducing the risk of recurrent haemorrhage were considered appropriate: stopping non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) when these were implicated in bleeding; successful eradication of Helicobacter pylori if present; and long-term maintenance acid-suppression therapy.


RESULTS
In 1993, appropriate steps were taken to reduce the risk of recurrent haemorrhage in only 48% of cases. Following the institution of guidelines, management improved significantly in 1995-1996 (appropriate in 83% of cases, P < 0.001), was associated with increased referral to gastroenterologists (P < 0.001), improved patient compliance with follow-up (P < 0.05), and more rigorous attempts to identify (P < 0.001) and ensure clearance (P < 0.001) of H. pylori.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, inadequate long-term management of patients with a bleeding duodenal ulcer was common. This was to a failure to adopt strategies aimed at reducing the risk of ulcer relapse and rebleeding. The quality of care improved significantly following the institution of guidelines and encouragement to refer to gastroenterologists.
McAlindon
M E
ME
Department of Medicine, University Hospital, Nottingham, UK.
Taylor
J S
JS
Ryder
S D
SD
D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004381:Duodenal Ulcer / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D010438:Peptic Ulcer Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal