Roussomoustakaki M., .Matrella E.,Manousos O.,Potamianos S., .Koutroubakis I.,Kouroumalis E.,SUMMARY Aim: To estimate the mortality and morbidity of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and to assess the role and relative safety of the common anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Materials/Methods: The clinical outcome of 444 patients with upper GI bleeding, admitted to the University Hospital of Heraklion, in relation to the consumption of various NSAIDs was studied prospectively over a 4 year period (1992-1995). Results: The median age of the patients was 62 and the male to female ratio 1.4: 1. In 64.2% of the cases a gastroduodenal ulcer was found. There was a history of NSAID use in 60.6% of patients and NSAID administration was associated significantly with antral erosions (81.7%). Operation and mortality rate were 3.6% and 2.7% respectively. Taking into account the local drug circulation, salicylates, piroxicam and ibuprofen were estimated to have the highest relative risk of bleeding. Drugs used mostly in parenteral or rectal forms were considered safer. No significant association was found between NSAID consumption and age, sex, operation and mortality rate. Conclusions: The operation and mortality rate in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding in Crete is remarkably low. NSAID use is strongly associated with upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage and certain brands of NSAIDs have a higher relative risk of bleeding. Parenteral or rectal administration of low-danger drugs is recommended. Key words: upper gastrointestinal bleeding, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), peptic ulcerapplication/pdfhttp://www.annalsgastro.gr/index.php/annalsgastro/article/view/26engHellenic Society of Gastroenterology1792-74631108-7471Annals of Gastroenterology; Volume 13, No 3 (2000)Low mortality and morbidity of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in Crete. The role of individual non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)info:eu-repo/semantics/articleinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion2007-03-19Δημοσίευση σε περιοδικόPublication in journalΓαστροεντερολογίαGastroenterologyisi -Gastroenterology & Hepatology covers resources on the anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and pathology of the digestive system. This category includes specific resources on the prognosis and treatment of digestive diseases; stomach ulcers; metabolic, genetic, infectious and chemically induced diseases of the liver; colitis; diseases of the pancreas and diseases of the rectum.Επιστημονικό άρθροScientific articleΕλληνική Γαστροεντερολογική ΕταιρίαGreek Aggregator OpenArchives.gr | National Documentation Centre (EKT)other