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Background: Upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a significant clinical emergency that necessitates swift and precise diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Due to its diverse etiologies, ranging from peptic ulcers to variceal bleeding, understanding these causes is crucial for effective management. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of various causes of upper GI bleeding through endoscopic examination. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Gastroenterology, Asian Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), Hyderabad, involving 150 hemodynamically stable patients who had fasted for 6 to 8 hours. A comprehensive physical examination and detailed medical history preceded the endoscopic procedures. Data were captured on a structured proforma and analyzed using SPSS software, version 26.0. Results: The cohort's mean age was 50.35 years (range 18-85 years), with a male predominance of 72%. Variceal bleeding was the most common finding (64.7%), followed by peptic ulcers (24%), Mallory-Weiss tears (12.7%), vascular anomalies (13.3%), gastric ulcers (7.3%), duodenal ulcers (6%), erosive gastritis (3.3%), and esophagitis (2.7%). Conclusion: Upper GI bleeding predominantly affects older adult males, with variceal bleeding accounting for about two-thirds of cases. The diversity of underlying causes highlights the need for accurate diagnostics and tailored treatments for high-risk groups.
Attari et al. (Mon,) studied this question.