Outcomes of Nonvariceal Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Patients With Cirrhosis A National Analysis

Goals:We sought to evaluate hospital outcomes of cirrhosis patients with nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB). Background:NVUGIB is common in patients with cirrhosis. However, national outcome studies of these patients are lacking. Study:We utilized the 2014 Nationwide Readmission Database to evaluate NVUGIB in patients with cirrhosis, further stratified as no cirrhosis (NC), compensated cirrhosis (CC), or decompensated cirrhosis (DC). Validated International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes captured diagnoses and interventions. Outcomes included 30-day readmission rates, index admission mortality rates, health care utilization, and predictors of readmission and mortality using multivariable regression analysis. Results:Overall, 13,701 patients with cirrhosis were admitted with NVUGIB. The 30-day readmission rate was 20.8%. Patients with CC were more likely to undergo an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) within 1 calendar day of admission (74.1%) than patients with DC (67.9%) or NC (69.4%). Patients with DC had longer hospitalizations (4.1 d) and higher costs of care ($11,834). The index admission mortality rate was higher in patients with DC (6.2%) than in patients with CC (1.7%, P<0.001) or NC (1.4%, P<0.001). Predictors of 30-day readmission included performing an EGD >1 calendar day from admission (OR: 1.21; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.46) and DC (OR: 1.78; 95% CI, 1.54 to 2.06). DC was a predictor of index admission mortality (OR: 3.68; 95% CI, 2.67 to 5.05). Conclusions:NVUGIB among patients with DC is associated with higher readmission rates, mortality rates, and health care utilization compared with patients with CC and NC. Early EGD is a modifiable variable associated with reduced readmission rates. Early identification of high-risk patients and adherence to guidelines may improve clinical outcomes.

Automated summary

This study evaluated hospital outcomes of cirrhosis patients with nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) using the 2014 Nationwide Readmission Database. The results showed that patients with decompensated cirrhosis had higher readmission rates, mortality rates, and healthcare utilization compared to those with compensated cirrhosis and no cirrhosis. Early esophagogastroduodenoscopy was a modifiable factor associated with reduced readmission rates. Early identification of high-risk patients and adherence to guidelines may improve clinical outcomes.