Comparison of gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with and without liver cirrhosis

OBJECTIVES: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) in patients has been well-characterized in liver cirrhosis but studies on lower GIB are limited. The clinical characteristics, management and outcomes in patients with and without liver cirrhosis was compared to determine the overall features of GIB in patients with liver cirrhosis compared with non-cirrhotics. METHODS: A retrospective study on cirrhotics hospitalized for GIB 2010-2021, matched with control group of non-cirrhotics (1:4) for upper vs. lower GIB. Patients with overt bleeding leading to hospitalization were included. RESULTS: < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Bleeding from gastric and duodenal ulcers were less common in cirrhotics than in controls. Bleeding from hemorrhoids was more common in cirrhotics. Mortality due to GIB was low in both groups but overall mortality was significantly higher in cirrhotics.