Gross lower gastrointestinal bleeding in patients on anticoagulant and/or antiplatelet therapy: endoscopic findings, management, and clinical outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
Gross gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a serious complication of anticoagulant/antiplatelet drug therapy. This study compares the frequencies of colorectal pathologies, endoscopic and resuscitative management measures, and clinical outcomes of patients hospitalized with lower GI bleeding (LGIB) while using anticoagulants/antiplatelets with those of patients not using them.


METHODS
A retrospective review of the records of 166 admissions for patients with gross LGIB over 12 years was conducted. The colonoscopic findings, management measures, and clinical outcomes were compared between 2 groups. Group A composed of 100 patients using any antiplatelet/anticoagulant, and group B 66 patients not using any such drugs. Independent t tests and chi were used to test for association between taking antiplatelet/anticoagulant and other variables.


RESULTS
Patients in group A were older and had more comorbidities than patients in group B. Severe LGIB occurred in 55.1% and 35.4% in groups A and B, respectively (P=0.01). Severity was not related to old age or the presence of comorbidities. A higher percentage of patients in group A had a hospital stay > or =6 days (44% vs. 27.3%; P<0.03), required blood transfusions (68% vs. 51.5%; P=0.03), and had in-hospital complications (37% vs. 22.7%; P=0.052). The most common source of bleeding was diverticulosis in both groups. Colorectal abnormalities were present in most patients; and in those using warfarin, colon cancer was common.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of antiplatelets/anticoagulant drugs is an independent predictor of severe LGIB and is associated with adverse outcomes. Colonoscopy is required in patients who bleed while using such drugs.
Hashash
Jana G
JG
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
Shamseddeen
Wael
W
Skoury
Assaad
A
Aoun
Nathalie
N
Barada
Kassem
K
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D015897:Comorbidity; D004240:Diverticulum / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007420:Intestine, Large / Q000473:pathology; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D000925:Anticoagulants; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors