Abstract
Background : To define the various causes of nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal
bleeding, to outline management modalities and to determine the final outcome of
patients.
Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients presenting with upper gastrointestinal
(UGI) bleeding from January 2003 to December 2006 (4 years) was conducted.
Patients with endoscopically proven variceal bleeding were excluded.
Results: Out of the 120 patients, most of the patients belonged to an age group of
more than 50 years (mean 48.5 years). Haematemesis was the most common
presentation and Acute Gastric Mucosal Lesion (AGML) was the most frequently
encountered lesion. The cause of bleeding was not identified in 10 patients
(undetermined group). Twenty-two (18.3%) underwent surgery and we had an overall
mortality of 15.8%.
Conclusion: AGML being the leading cause can be managed conservatively most of
the time. There is a male preponderance and the incidence and mortality increases
with advancing age. The undetermined group remains a diagnostic problem. (Rawal
Med J 2007;32:105-108).

Key words: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding, Endoscopy, hematemesis, gastric mucosal lesion.