Risk factors and outcomes of peptic ulcer bleed in a Pakistani population:A single-center observational study

BACKGROUND Peptic ulcer disease(PUD)remains a significant healthcare burden,contributing to morbidity and mortality worldwide.Despite advancements in therapies,its prevalence persists,particularly in regions with widespread nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs(NSAIDs)use and Helicobacter pylori infection.AIM To comprehensively analyse the risk factors and outcomes of PUD-related upper gastrointestinal(GI)bleeding in Pakistani population.METHODS This retrospective cohort study included 142 patients with peptic ulcer bleeding who underwent upper GI endoscopy from January to December 2022.Data on demographics,symptoms,length of stay,mortality,re-bleed,and Forrest classification was collected.RESULTS The mean age of patients was 53 years,and the majority was men(68.3%).Hematemesis(82.4%)and epigastric pain(75.4%)were the most common presenting symptoms.Most patients(73.2%)were discharged within five days.The mortality rates at one week and one month were 10.6%and 14.8%,respectively.Re-bleed within 24 h and seven days occurred in 14.1%and 18.3%of patients,respectively.Most ulcers were Forrest class(FC)Ⅲ(72.5%).Antiplatelet use was associated with higher mortality at 7 and 30 d,while alternative medications were linked to higher 24-hour re-bleed rates.NSAID use was associated with more FCⅢulcers.Re-bleed at 24 h and 7 d was strongly associated with one-week or one-month mortality.CONCLUSION Antiplatelet use and rebleeding increase the risk of early mortality in PUD-related upper GI bleeding,while alternative medicines are associated with early rebleeding.

Is transarterial embolization a valuable treatment option for spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma: experience from a tertiary care hospital of South-Asia

Aim:Transarterial embolization(TAE)has been found beneficial in treatment of ruptured Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)in earlier studies.So far no data is available from Pakistan.The aim of this study was to evaluate clinicopathological characteristics,outcomes of patients presented with spontaneously ruptured,unresectable HCC treated with or without TAE and to evaluate the factors associated with 30-day mortality.Methods:This was a cross sectional study.Patients≥18 years old,presented with spontaneous rupture of unresectable HCC,were evaluated.The outcome measures were control of bleeding,in-hospital mortality,30-day mortality and factors associated with 30-days mortality.Results:Out of 850 patients,24 patients were diagnosed with spontaneously ruptured HCC.Mean age was 58.29±15.26 years.A total of 11(45.8%)patients were treated conservatively and 13(54.2%)underwent TAE.Control of bleeding due to ruptured HCC was significantly higher for those treated via TAE as compared to those who were treated conservatively(92.3%vs.36.4%,P=0.008).Overall median duration for which the patients remained alive after HCC rupture was longer for TAE group(39 days vs.5 days,P=0.03).In-hospital mortality(30.8% vs.72.7%,P=0.04)and 30-day mortality was also lower in TAE group(38.5%vs.90.9%,P=0.01).Those who underwent TAE had lower risk of mortality then conservative group odds ratio(OR)0.25,95% confidence interval(CI0.07-0.90,P=0.03).Failure to control bleeding was associated with higher 30-day mortality(OR 2.14,95% CI 1.24-3.68,P=0.009).Conclusion:Ruptured HCC is a life threatening complication requiring early diagnosis and treatment.TAE is an effective and well-tolerated treatment in the management of ruptured HCC.