| Theme |
Diagnoses & Treatments for Gastrointestinal Bleeding on the Basis of JGES Guidelines |
| Title |
Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Bleeding |
| Author |
Ryota Niikura |
Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo |
| Author |
Mitsuhiro Fujishiro |
Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo / Endoscopy and Endoscopic Surgery, The University of Tokyo Hospital |
| Author |
Kazuhiko Koike |
Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo |
| [ Summary ] |
Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is one of the common diseases that can be severe, and it includes upper GI bleeding, lower GI bleeding, and small intestinal bleeding. Peptic ulcers are the most frequent cause of upper GI bleeding, and they are commonly caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. However, in Japan, and other developed countries, the H. pylori infection rate has been decreasing and as a consequence, H. pylori‒related peptic ulcers have also been decreasing. In contrast, the use of non‒steroidal anti‒inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including low‒dose aspirin and related peptic ulcers have been increasing. Additionally, low‒dose aspirin and NSAIDs cause an increased risk of lower GI bleeding and small intestinal bleeding as well as upper GI bleeding. Drug-induced GI bleeding may increase in the next few decades and that is an important clinical issue. |