title: Lack of follow-up of anaemia after discharge from an upper gastrointestinal bleeding centre.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding is common and anaemia at discharge also occurs frequently. Follow-up studies of patients after discharge are limited. Furthermore, guidelines for follow-up and treatment of post-discharge anaemia have not been published.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a local, retrospective evaluation of patients admitted for acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The retrospective evaluation found that more than 80% of the patients admitted for acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding were discharged with apparent anaemia, and oral iron supplementation was recommended for 16% of the discharged anaemic patients. Our study revealed no standardised follow-up protocols for anaemic patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The follow-up practice for patients with anaemia was inconsistent. Based on our research, well-designed studies are needed to determine the most effective post-discharge treatment for patients who are still anaemic at discharge after endoscopic treatment of acute non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  not relevant.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  not relevant.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine V, Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark. pallbage@rm.dk
authors.forename: Palle
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bager
authors.forename: Jens F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Dahlerup
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000359:Aftercare / Q000592:standards*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000740:Anemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000592:standards; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004941:Esophagitis / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010438:Peptic Ulcer Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications*; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007501:Iron