Table 7

Stigmata of recent haemorrhage and use of endoscopic therapy* at first endoscopy

% of 5004 (n)Therapy given (n)Rebleeding (n)No therapy given (n)Rebleeding (n)
Visible vessel6.3% (318)92% (292)28% (82)8% (26)38% (10)
Spurting vessel2.9% (145)93% (135)41% (55)7% (10)60% (6)
Adherent clot6.9% (347)68% (236)32% (76)32% (111)35% (39)
Dark spot in ulcer base1.7% (83)64% (53)15% (8)36% (30)35% (39)
All varices11% (526)64% (339)29% (99)36% (184)20% (36)
Varices with red spot/wheal marking2.3% (114)92% (105)24% (25)8% (9)0
Varices with nipple sign0.4% (18)94% (17)41% (7)6% (1)0
  • * BSG guidelines (2002) advise endoscopic therapy for actively bleeding ulcers, non bleeding visible vessels and ulcers with adherent clot when technically possible and use of banding in preference to sclerotherapy for varices if possible.

  • In 62 cases data on whether endoscopic therapy was used was missing.

  • Defined as rebleeding or continued bleeding.