Results: There were 342 (24%) upper GI bleeders. The mean age of presentation was 55.5 years +/-14.4 SD. A high proportion was seen between 50-70 years of age. Sex distribution was, male:female = 229:114 (2:1). 45% have presented with haematemesis, 31% with malaena, and 24% with both. Endoscopy showed the presence of severe antral gastritis and duodenitis, oesophageal varices, oesaphagitis, erosive gastropathy, portal hypertensive gastropathy, pangastritis and peptic ulcer disease in 38%, 35%, 28%, 28%, 20%, 17% and 15% of the instances respectively. Hiatus herniae were seen in 43% although its role was unclear. Often combined pathologies were seen. Only 52% of the varices showed endoscopic evidence of bleeding. Excess alcohol consumption was seen in 36% while 5% were on NSAIDs. 5% had endoscopic negatives.Conclusions: UGIB is a major problem to the endoscopist, constituting about 25% of the work load, in this part of the continent. Although approximately 50% of the varices found had bled, portal hypertension related pathologies are a cause for concern. Alcohol was a contributory factor in 1/3 of the endoscoped population. Bleeding from PUD was not a dominant feature compared to the west.

Dapsone-induced agranulocytosis is a rare but potentially fatal adverse effect of treatment for tuberculoid leprosy. Publications distributed by the WHO Leprosy Elimination Campaign for patient information on leprosy do not contain any advice or guidelines for post-dapsone therapy follow-up. As a result of this major deficiency, the local anti-leprosy campaign in Sri Lanka has no such guidelines on dapsone therapy for leprosy patients. We report two patients with total agranulocytosis caused by dapsone therapy for tuberculoid leprosy including one fatality. As leprosy is more prevalent in developing countries such as Sri Lanka, we recommend that WHO publications on patient information should include post-dapsone therapy follow-up guidelines to avoid such catastrophes which are undetected until the patients are critically ill.

Lympidem is a coumarin derivative which is advocated for treatment of mainly chronic lymphedema by the manufacturer. Since its introduction there had been several reports with regard to coumarin-induced hepatotoxicity from Europe. We report an adult Sri Lankan middle-aged female who presented with abnormal liver functions due to Lympidem, which resulted in discontinuation of the drug, while no other etiology could be found. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case from South East Asia. We recommend monitoring of liver functions while on coumarin therapy to prevent irreversible damage.