ENDOSCOPIC EVALUATION OF PATIENTS WITH UPPER GI BLEED: A HOSPITAL BASED STUDY FROM NORTH EASTERN INDIA

Introduction: Upper GI bleed is an alarm symptom which requires thorough evaluation to determine the underlying cause. There are numerous disorders that present with Upper GI bleed and vary from benign to malignant. The clinical presentation of UGIB can range from mild, self-limiting episodes to massive hemorrhage leading to hypovolemic shock and eventually death if not diagnosed and without timely intervention. Upper GI Endoscopy is an important diagnostic tool for the evaluation of Upper GI bleed and it is the preferred diagnostic modality. Since some patients may require Endoscopic interventions, Upper GI Endoscopy should not be delayed in patients who presented with Upper GI bleed. Materials and Methods: This is a hospital based retrospective observational study carried out in a tertiary hospital over a period of five years from January 2020 to December 2024. All patients with Upper GI bleed referred for upper GI endoscopy were included in the study. Out of 10,150 Upper GI endoscopies carried out in the above period, 578 endoscopies were for evaluation of Upper GI bleed. Results: Out of 583 endoscopies referred for evaluation of UGI Bleed, abnormal findings were detected in 489(83.87%) patients. The different etiologies are Esophageal varices (11.8%), Peptic Esophagitis(7.7%), Esophageal carcinoma (1.0%), Mallory weiss tear (2.2%), Erosive gastritis (20.4%), Peptic Gastric ulcers (17.6%), Gastric carcinoma (2.4%), Gastric polyps(0.5%), Gastric angiodysplasia(0.3%), Peptic Duodenal ulcers (16.9%), Duodenal erosions (2.7%), Periampullary carcinoma(0.8%) and Normal findings in15.2% of the patients. Conclusion: UGI Endoscopy is an important diagnostic tool for evaluation of patients suffering from Upper GI bleed. Pathology can be diagnosed with greater precision as direct visualization of the site of the lesion as well as the ability for collection of biopsy could be made. In addition to diagnosis, various endoscopic therapeutic procedures can be carried out. Endoscopy should not be delayed in patients with Upper GI bleed as the outcome depends much on the early diagnosis and timely intervention.