Frequency and Etiology of Hematemesis in Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department

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Published: 2026-01-30
DOI: https://doi.org/10.61919/cmj31879
Keywords:
Hematemesis; Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding; Esophageal Varices; Peptic Ulcer Disease; Gastrointestinal Endoscopy; Emergency Department

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Dr. Moazzam Farooq
Senior House Officer in Rheumatology, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
Dr. Farhan Ali
Medical Officer, District Headquarters Hospital Jhelum, Jhelum, Pakistan
Afifa Nighat
Specialty Doctor, Independent Researcher, United Kingdom
Dr. Muhammad Haseeb
Medical Officer, Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Hospital, Kamra, Pakistan
Dr. Leena Siddiqui
Consultant Medicine, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Pakistan
Arshad Ullah
Resident Physician Internal Medicine, Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad, Pakistan
Dr. Wali Ullah
PGR Paeds Medicine, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Hematemesis is an important manifestation of upper gastrointestinal bleeding requiring prompt stabilization and identification of the bleeding source because management differs substantially between variceal and non-variceal causes. Objective: To determine the frequency and etiological distribution of hematemesis among patients presenting to the emergency department. Methods: This prospective observational study included 100 consecutive patients aged 15–80 years presenting with hematemesis to the Emergency Department of Lady Reading Hospital–Medical Teaching Institution, Peshawar, Pakistan, from 1 January to 30 June 2026. Clinical characteristics and relevant laboratory findings were recorded, and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed after stabilization to establish the bleeding etiology. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 26.0 and summarized descriptively. Results: The mean age was 46.8 ± 16.7 years, with an observed range of 18–80 years; 68 (68.0%) participants were male. Esophageal varices were the most frequent etiology, occurring in 42 (42.0%) patients, followed by peptic ulcer disease in 25 (25.0%), erosive gastritis in 12 (12.0%), gastric varices in 8 (8.0%), Mallory–Weiss tear in 5 (5.0%), esophagitis in 4 (4.0%), and upper gastrointestinal malignancy in 4 (4.0%). Variceal and non-variceal causes each accounted for 50 (50.0%) cases. Chronic liver disease was documented in 55 (55.0%) patients, NSAID use in 28 (28.0%), and previous upper gastrointestinal bleeding in 21 (21.0%). The mean interval from emergency presentation to endoscopy was 18.6 ± 7.4 hours. Conclusion: Variceal bleeding, particularly esophageal varices, and peptic ulcer disease constituted the principal etiologies of hematemesis in this emergency department population. Recognition of the local etiological pattern and timely endoscopic assessment are important components of appropriate clinical management

Article Details

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 2 (2026)

Section

Articles
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

[1]
Dr. Moazzam Farooq et al. 2026. Frequency and Etiology of Hematemesis in Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department. Journal of Health, Wellness and Community Research. 4, 2 (Jan. 2026), 1–7. DOI:https://doi.org/10.61919/cmj31879.

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