Etiological profile of patients with lower gastrointestinal bleeding: A 1-year cross-sectional study

摘要

The objective of the study was to determine the etiological profile of patients presenting with lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB). This was a cross-sectional study including fifty patients with LGIB enrolled between January 2015 and December 2015. Patients aged 18 years and more with LGIB were included in the study. Endoscopy was performed within 24 h of admission, detailed history was recorded, and the frequency was calculated using Microsoft excel spreadsheet. The categorical data were expressed in terms of rates, ratios, and percentages and continuous data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. The mean age of patients was 43.82 ± 17.96 years. Higher incidence of GI bleeding was observed in the age group of 18–30 years (34%). Hematochezia (80%) was the most common clinical feature, followed by constipation (78%). Hemorrhoids (48%) followed by ulcerative colitis (24%) were the most important colonoscopic findings determining the etiological factors. Based on the etiological profile, internal hemorrhoids and ulcerative colitis were the leading causes with a male preponderance in both the etiological factors. Men had a history of smoking and alcohol consumption implying that tobacco and other abuses increase the risk of LGIB.