title: [Gastrointestinal hemorrhage of unknown origin].
abstract: Among 174 patients admitted for acute gastrointestinal bleeding the source of bleeding remained undetermined in 19 (10.9%) despite standard diagnostic workup. We show that an unknown source of acute gastrointestinal bleeding is not a risk factor with regard to the in-hospital outcome: there was no difference in the number of in-hospital days, of PRBC transfused or of surgical interventions; none of these patients died. While patient characteristics regarding mean age and sex distribution likewise did not differ, there was a significantly higher percentage of patients on NSAIDs or oral anticoagulants among those whose source of bleeding could not be found (80 vs 42%; p = 0.002). The clinical follow-up of the patients with undetermined source of bleeding reveals gastrointestinal pathology in a considerable proportion (18%); it calls for close follow-up of these patients after discharge.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik, Kantonsspital Olten.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grunder
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Straumann
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pirovino
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000925:Anticoagulants
vernacular_title: Die gastrointestinale Blutung ungeklärten Ursprungs.