Blood urea nitrogen and endoscopic pattern relationship in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding

Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) increased in active upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The relationship between BUN and endoscopic pattern is not fully investigated.

From January 2001 to October 2004, 157 (male/female, 123/34; mean age 69.3 years) were admitted to our hospital because of signs of gastrointestinal bleeding (hemathe-mesis and/or melaena). At admission to the Emergency Department, haemodynamics parameters (cardiac rate, arterial pressure) and laboratory blood tests (complete blood count, creatinine, electrolyte, BUN, albumin) were measured. All patients underwent endoscopy within 8 hours and Forrest's criteria for gastrointestinal bleeding were used: F1, active bleeding; F2, signs of recent bleeding (clot); F3, healing ulcer. During hospitalization, the history, past treatment, haemotransfusion, rebleeding and surgical treatment were also recorded. Data were analyzed in a statistical manner and t tests for unpaired data and univariate analysis were performed.

BUN levels and the BUN/creatinine ratio correlate with Forrest's different ulcer patterns. These could identify patients who need an early endoscopic evaluation and more intensive treatment.