The effect of shock index and hematocrit levels on mortality in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding

Introduction and Aim: To investigate the influence of shock index, lactate levels and hematocrit levels over the course of disease and mortality in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding. Material and Method: The study was conducted as retrospective analysis of laboratory results and medical records of patients referred to emergency room in between 01.01.2013-30.09.2015 due to presenting gastrointestinal bleeding symptoms and diagnosed by endoscopic methods. Vitals on emergency room referral, results of endoscopic interventions and initial blood tests and hospitalization/discharge numbers were noted after chart reviews. 709 patients were identified and 266 of them were found eligible. 150 patients whose medical records were reachable included to study after chart surveys. Results: 94 patients were male. Patients over 65 years old constituted the half of all. Most frequent complaints were found out as hematemesis and black stool. Mortality rate of patients was calculated as 25%. As a result of evaluation for patients' initial vitals we found no influence of shock index over mortality (p>0,05). According to initial blood sample results we found that hematocrit levels were inadequate on predicting mortality (p>0,05). Conclusion: It is concluded as predicting mortality by only using shock index and hematocrit levels was inadequate, so that these parameters should be supported by other data