Nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding: epidemiology and diagnosis.

Nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding remains an important cause of patient morbidity, mortality, and use of considerable health care resources. An early and accurate diagnosis is critical for guiding appropriate management and facilitating patient care. This article reviews the most recent epidemiologic data on acute nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding and outlines important aspects of making the diagnosis.