%0 Journal Article
%T Predicting the need for urgent endoscopic intervention in lower gastrointestinal bleeding: a retrospective review.
%A Ridha B
%A Hey N
%A Ritchie L
%A Toews R
%A Turcotte Z
%A Jamison B
%J BMC Emerg Med
%V 24
%N 1
%D 2024 Apr 23
%M 38654175
%F 2.485
%R 10.1186/s12873-024-00990-3
%X <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) is a common reason for emergency department visits and subsequent hospitalizations. Recent data suggests that low-risk patients may be safely evaluated as an outpatient. Recommendations for healthcare systems to identify low-risk patients who can be safely discharged with timely outpatient follow-up have yet to be established. The primary objective of this study was to determine the role of patient predictors for the patients with LGIB to receive urgent endoscopic intervention.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>A retrospective chart review was performed on 142 patients. Data was collected on patient demographics, clinical features, comorbidities, medications, hemodynamic parameters, laboratory values, and diagnostic imaging. Logistic regression analysis, independent samples t-testing, Mann Whitney U testing for non-parametric data, and univariate analysis of categorical variables by Chi square test was performed to determine relationships within the data.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>On logistic regression analysis, A hemoglobin drop of > 20 g/L was the only variable that predicted endoscopic intervention (p = 0.030). Tachycardia, hypotension, or presence of anticoagulation were not significantly associated with endoscopic intervention (p > 0.05).<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>A hemoglobin drop of > 20 g/L was the only patient parameter that predicted the need for urgent endoscopic intervention in the emergency department.