The predictive value of the urea/hemoglobin ratio for endoscopic treatment in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Abstract

Abstract Aims: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding develops due to various pathologies in a wide region, including esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. The clinical presentation is highly variable between patients and can rapidly deteriorate and even be fatal without follow-up. Medical agents, endoscopic interventions, and surgery may be required in the treatment of the patient, and a high blood transfusion may be required. Predicting which patients are more at risk and urgent than others is important for the correct treatment of patients. The urea/hemoglobin ratio can be a simple, rapidly applicable, and reliable indicator to predict the need for endoscopy. Methods: This was a single-center retrospective study in which 361 patients treated for upper gastrointestinal bleeding were investigated. Age and gender data, endoscopy records, and blood tests of the patients were analyzed within the scope of the study. Median UHR values were significantly higher in intensive care indication, endoscopic indications, and blood transfusion indications (p