Frequency of esophageal varices in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Objective: To calculate the frequency of esophageal varices in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
Methodology: It is a cross sectional study. One hundred patients of upper GI bleeding were included in the study. After initial history and clinical examination, upper GI endoscopy was performed to assess the cause of bleeding and all the relevant data was entered in the specific proforma designed by authors.
Results: One hundred patients (56 male and 44 females) of upper GI hemorrhage were included. Fifty three patients had esophageal varices while 12 patients had duodenal ulcer, 14 had gastric ulcer, 16 had Gastroduodenal erosions, two patients had erosive esophagitis, one patient had Mallory Weiss tear, one had gastric carcinoma and one had coagulopathy.
Conclusion: Esophageal varices are the most common cause of upper GI bleeding in this area where this study was conducted.