Upper gastrointestinal bleeding epidemiology and demographics

About 75% of patients presenting to the emergency room with upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) have an upper source. The diagnosis is easier when the patient has hematemesis. In the absence of hematemesis, 40% to 50% of patients in the emergency room with GI bleeding have an upper source. The incidence of acute UGIB is approximately 50 to 100 per 100,000 individuals worldwide. Patients of all age groups may develop upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Males are more commonly affected by UGIB than females.

• The incidence of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is approximately 50 to 100 per 100,000 individuals worldwide.^[1][2]
• Approximately 100,000 patients are admitted to US hospitals for therapy for UGIB.

• The prevalence of UGIB is almost the same as incidence, as it is a medical emergency and is not a chronic disease.

• Patients of all age groups may develop upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
• The population with UGIB has become progressively older, with a concurrent increase in significant comorbidities that increase mortality.
• Mortality increases with older age (>60 y), in both males and females.

There is no racial predilection to upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

• Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is more common in males than females.
• The males to female ratio is approximately 2 to 1.

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