Prevalencia de hemorragia digestiva alta en pacientes con cirrosis hepática atendidos por el servicio de Gastroenterología en el Hospital IESS Ceibos en el periodo de 2020 – 2022.

Abstract

Introduction: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding in cirrhotic patients is a potentially serious complication that can occur due to various reasons related to liver cirrhosis. Liver cirrhosis is a chronic liver disease in which normal liver tissue is gradually replaced by scar tissue (fibrosis), reducing the liver's ability to function properly. One common cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in cirrhotic patients is esophageal varices, which demonstrate how cirrhosis can increase pressure in the veins that carry blood from the intestines to the liver. This additional pressure can lead to the development of esophageal varices, which are dilated veins in the esophagus. These varices can rupture and cause severe bleeding. Objective: To determine the prevalence of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in cirrhotic patients aged 18 to 80 years treated by the Gastroenterology service at IESS CEIBOS Hospital from January to December 2020 - 2022. Methodology: This study is observational, retrospective, cross-sectional, and descriptive in nature. Systematic random sampling was used to select these patients. Results: In a study of 267 cirrhotic patients, we obtained a sample of 169 patients who experienced upper gastrointestinal bleeding. According to gender, a higher prevalence was observed in males, with a percentage of 51.5%. The age group with the highest frequency was patients aged 50-59 years. Regarding risk factors, alcohol consumption had the highest percentage at 74.6%. Among comorbidities, hypertension (HTA) had the highest percentage in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding, at 43.1%. Mortality was low, with a percentage of 18.9%. Conclusion: The prevalence of these variables is high, emphasizing the importance of immediate medical attention for cirrhotic patients experiencing upper gastrointestinal bleeding, as it can be potentially life-threatening. Additionally, managing the underlying liver cirrhosis is essential to prevent future bleeding episodes.