Kai-Hsiang Wu1, Hsin-An Shih1, Ming-Szu Hung2, Cheng-Ting Hsiao3, Yi-Chuan Chen4. 1. Department of Emergency Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, No. 6, W. Sec., Jiapu Rd., Puzih City, Chiayi County 613, Taiwan. 2. Chang Gung University College of Medicine, No. 5, Fusing St., Gueishan Township, Taoyuan County 333, Taiwan; Division of Thoracic Oncology, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, No. 6, W. Sec., Jiapu Rd., Puzih City, Chiayi County 613, Taiwan. 3. Department of Emergency Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, No. 6, W. Sec., Jiapu Rd., Puzih City, Chiayi County 613, Taiwan; Chang Gung University College of Medicine, No. 5, Fusing St., Gueishan Township, Taoyuan County 333, Taiwan. 4. Department of Emergency Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, No. 6, W. Sec., Jiapu Rd., Puzih City, Chiayi County 613, Taiwan; Department of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Chiayi Campus, Chiayi, Taiwan. Electronic address: giomacky@gmail.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Azotaemia is commonly identified among patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) due to absorption of blood products in the small bowel. Previous studies have found blood urea nitrogen-to-creatinine (BUN/Cr) ratio to be significantly elevated among patients UGIB bleeding compared to patients with lower GI bleeding. However, no studies have explored the relationship between BUN/Cr ratio and mortality. This study is aimed at investigating how BUN/Cr ratio relates to outcomes for UGIB patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was conducted prospectively at a university-affiliated teaching hospital with approximate 70,000 annual emergency department (ED) visits. Data from a total of 258 adult UGIB patients were collected between March 1, 2011 and March 1, 2012. Cox regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for 30-day mortality. RESULTS: Malignancy and Rockall score were associated with increased risk of 30-day mortality (Unadjusted hazard ratio (HR): 3.87, 95% CI: 1.59-9.41, p = 0.0029; HR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.02-1.71, p = 0.0476, respectively). However, BUN/Cr > 30 was associated with lower risk of 30-day mortality (HR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.11-0.97, p = 0.0441). CONCLUSIONS: A BUN/Cr ratio of >30 was found to be an independent risk factor for mortality and may be useful for pre-endoscopic assessment. Development of future risk scoring systems might warrant consideration of including BUN/Cr ratio as a parameter for estimating risk.
BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Azotaemia is commonly identified among patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) due to absorption of blood products in the small bowel. Previous studies have found blood ureanitrogen-to-creatinine (BUN/Cr) ratio to be significantly elevated among patients UGIB bleeding compared to patients with lower GI bleeding. However, no studies have explored the relationship between BUN/Cr ratio and mortality. This study is aimed at investigating how BUN/Cr ratio relates to outcomes for UGIB patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was conducted prospectively at a university-affiliated teaching hospital with approximate 70,000 annual emergency department (ED) visits. Data from a total of 258 adult UGIB patients were collected between March 1, 2011 and March 1, 2012. Cox regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for 30-day mortality. RESULTS:Malignancy and Rockall score were associated with increased risk of 30-day mortality (Unadjusted hazard ratio (HR): 3.87, 95% CI: 1.59-9.41, p = 0.0029; HR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.02-1.71, p = 0.0476, respectively). However, BUN/Cr > 30 was associated with lower risk of 30-day mortality (HR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.11-0.97, p = 0.0441). CONCLUSIONS: A BUN/Cr ratio of >30 was found to be an independent risk factor for mortality and may be useful for pre-endoscopic assessment. Development of future risk scoring systems might warrant consideration of including BUN/Cr ratio as a parameter for estimating risk.