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Predicting outcome of acute non-variceal upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage without endoscopy using the clinical Rockall Score

Division of Gastroenterology, Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
T C K Tham
Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, Belfast BT16 1RH, UK; ttham{at}utvinternet.com

Background: The Rockall risk scoring system uses clinical criteria and endoscopy to identify patients at risk of adverse outcomes after acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage. A clinical Rockall score obtained using only the clinical criteria may be able to predict outcome without endoscopy.

Aim: To validate the clinical Rockall Score in predicting outcome after acute non-variceal upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage.

Methods: A retrospective observational study of consecutive patients who were admitted with non-variceal acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage was undertaken. Medical records were abstracted using a standardised form.

Results: 102 cases were identified (51 men and 51 women; mean age 59 years). 38 (37%) patients considered to be at low risk of adverse outcomes (clinical Rockall Score 0) had no adverse outcomes and did not require transfusion. Patients with a clinical Rockall Score of 1–3 had no adverse outcomes, although 13 of 45 (29%) patients required blood transfusions. Clinical Rockall Scores >3 (n = 19) were associated with adverse outcomes (rebleeding in 4 (21%), surgery in 1 (5%) and death in 2 (10%)).

Conclusions: The clinical Rockall Score without endoscopy may be a useful prognostic indicator in this cohort of patients with acute non-variceal upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage. This score may reduce the need for urgent endoscopy in low-risk patients, which can instead be carried out on a more elective outpatient basis.

Keywords: endoscopy; acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage; scoring system