Long-Term Outcomes following Acute Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding Remain Poor: A Single-Center Comparison over Two Distinct Time Periods within the Last 15 Years in Finland

Abstract

Introduction: Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (AUGIB) is a common and life-threatening condition. This study aimed to compare the causes and long-term outcomes of AUGIB over two distinct periods in the last 15 years. Methods: This population-based study included consecutive patients who underwent emergency upper endoscopy for visible bleeding in 2006 and 2016. Our primary focus was on long-term mortality up to 5 years after the endoscopy, although short-term mortality was also reported. Results: A total of 832 patients (median age 67 [12–96] years, 37% female) were included, with peptic ulcer disease (48%), esophagitis (20%), and variceal bleeding (15%) being the most common diagnoses. The incidence of AUGIB increased with age, reaching 8.31 cases per 1, 000 person-years among those aged 80 years or older. Mortality rates at 30 days, 90 days, 1 year, and 5 years were 13%, 16%, 27%, and 47%, respectively. The standardized mortality ratio was high in all age groups, with particularly elevated rates observed among younger patients compared to the standard population. Variceal bleeding, liver cirrhosis, and chronic alcohol abuse were associated with the highest mortality. Only two short-term deaths were attributed to failed hemostasis. The primary causes of death were malignancies, liver failure, and cardiac failure. No improvement in outcomes was observed between the two time periods. Conclusion: Although the treatment of AUGIB may be relatively straightforward, the outcomes following treatment remain poor. High mortality can be attributed to the presence of coexisting conditions and patients’ lifestyle.