Is the AIM65 score useful in predicting outcomes in peptic ulcer bleeding?

AIM:To evaluate the applicability of AIMS65 scores in predicting outcomes of peptic ulcer bleeding.METHODS:This was a retrospective study in a single center between January 2006 and December 2011.We enrolled 522 patients with upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage who visited the emergency room.Highrisk patients were regarded as those who had rebleeding within 30 d from the first endoscopy as well as those who died within 30 d of visiting the Emergency room.A total of 149 patients with peptic ulcer bleeding were analysed,and the AIMS65 score was used to retrospectively predict the high-risk patients.RESULTS:A total of 149 patients with peptic ulcer bleeding were analysed.The poor outcome group comprised 28 patients[male:23(82.1%)vs female:5(10.7%)]while the good outcome group included 121patients[male:93(76.9%)vs female:28(23.1%)].The mean age in each group was not significantly different.The mean serum albumin levels in the poor outcome group were slightly lower than those in the good outcome group(P=0.072).For the prediction of poor outcome,the AIMS65 score had a sensitivity of35.5%(95%CI:27.0-44.8)and a specificity of 82.1%(95%CI:63.1-93.9)at a score of 0.The AIMS65 score was insufficient for predicting outcomes in peptic ulcer bleeding(area under curve=0.571;95%CI:0.49-0.65).CONCLUSION:The AIMS65 score may therefore not be suitable for predicting clinical outcomes in peptic ulcer bleeding.Low albumin levels may be a risk factor associated with high mortality in peptic ulcer bleeding.