North vs south differences in acute peptic ulcer hemorrhage in Croatia: hospitalization incidence trends, clinical features, and 30-day case fatality

Abstract

AimTo assess the seven-year trends of hospitalization incidence due to acute peptic ulcer hemorrhage (APUH) and associated risk factors, and examine the differences in these trends between two regions in Croatia.MethodsThe study collected sociodemographic, clinical, and endoscopic data on 2204 patients with endoscopically confirmed APUH who were admitted to the Clinical Hospital Center “Sestre Milosrdnice,” Zagreb and Clinical Hospital Center Split between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2011. We determined hospitalization incidence rates, 30-day case fatality rate, clinical outcomes, and incidence-associated factors.ResultsNo differences were observed in APUH hospitalization incidence rates between the regions. Age-standardized one-year cumulative APUH hospitalization incidence rate calculated using the European Standard Population was significantly higher in Zagreb than in Split region (43.2/100 000 vs 29.2/100,000). A significantly higher APUH hospitalization incidence rates were observed in the above 65 years age group. Overall 30-day case fatality rate was 4.9%.ConclusionThe hospitalization incidence of APUH in two populations did not change over the observational period and it was significantly higher in the Zagreb region. The incidence of acute duodenal ulcer hemorrhage also remained unchanged, whereas the incidence of acute gastric ulcer hemorrhage increased. The results of this study allow us to monitor epidemiological indicators of APUH and compare data with other countries.

Mortality patterns in Southern Adriatic islands of Croatia: a registry-based study

“…For the needs of this study, we treated Pelješac peninsula equally as islands since it is an equally isolated remote area. The two southernmost counties were used as the mainland controls, because previous studies suggested different health-related behaviors and outcomes in the coastal and continental Croatia ( 13 , 18 , 19 ).…”

Helicobacter pylori and Nonmalignant Diseases

“…A second review article also from Brazil concluded that PU had not declined over the past decade, the percentage of patients with ulcers without H. pylori or NSAID intake, however, had increased in some centers to more than 50%, and H. pylori was only one factor in the genesis of PUD which now had a multifactorial etiology. Two articles, one from Canada and the other from Croatia , reviewed the incidence of PU hemorrhage. Both showed little change in incidence of DU bleeds, but GU bleeds had increased, mortality was unchanged the age of patients had risen, and NSAID intake had also increased.…”