Survival Analysis of Geriatric Patients with Low Digestive Hemorrhage Attending an Emergency Department

Abstract

<b><i>Background:</i></b> The increase in life expectancy and low mortality have doubled the number of individuals older than 65 in the last 30 years. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We conducted a retrospective study of 101 patients older than 80 years of age treated by low digestive hemorrhage (LDH) in an emergency department during 2018. Sociodemographic variables were evaluated, as well as comorbidity and survival at 18 months. Survival was assessed by a Kaplan-Meier test. <b><i>Results:</i></b> 52.5% of the subjects were women. The average comorbidity of the sample was 1.97. The survival rate per year was 60%. The finding on colonoscopy shows no association with mortality. However, those patients on anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy have a higher survival rate. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Survival per year is high, so urgent colonoscopy for an LDH should be performed after evaluating the patient’s stability and functional status in a scheduled and outpatient manner.