• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.699-704
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• 2020

Introduction: This case report addressed the effect of Korean medicine treatments on a patient with hemorrhagic anemia due to lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Case report: An 83-year-old male with lower gastrointestinal bleeding was treated with Korean medicine, including the herbal medication Subi-jeon. We evaluated the improvements of symptoms by hemoglobin levels and numbers of transfusions. From the 6^th day of taking the herbal medicine to discharge, a hemoglobin level of 7 g/dL or higher was maintained and the patient did not require blood transfusion. Conclusions: This clinical case study suggests that Subi-jeon might be effective in cases of hematosis of lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.283-289
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• 2023

Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is one of the most common conditions among patients visiting emergency departments in Korea. GI bleeding is divided into upper and lower GI bleeding, according to the bleeding site. GI bleeding is also divided into overt and occult GI bleeding based on bleeding characteristics. In addition, obscure GI bleeding refers to recurrent or persistent GI bleeding from a source that cannot be identified after esophagogastroduodenoscopy or colonoscopy. The small intestine is the largest part of the alimentary tract. It extends from the pylorus to the cecum. The small intestine is difficult to access owing to its long length. Moreover, it is not fixed to the abdominal cavity. When hemorrhage occurs in the small intestine, the source cannot be found in many cases because of the characteristics of the small intestine. In practice, small-intestinal bleeding accounts for most of the obscure GI bleeding. Therefore, in this review, we introduce and describe systemic approaches and examination methods, including video capsule endoscopy and balloon enteroscopy, that can be performed in patients with suspected small bowel bleeding in clinical practice.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.30-38
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• 2015

Purpose: The aims of our study were to evaluate the blood urea nitrogen to creatinine ratio (BUN/Cr ratio) for distinguishing between an upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB), and differentiating between the two most common causes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) presenting with melena in children. Methods: Retrospective data of patients with GIB presenting with melena were analyzed. The data from 60 cases were reviewed including demographics, laboratory findings, diagnostic modalities and results, treatments, and transfusions. Results: Among the 60 cases, UGIB and lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) were found in 35 cases (58.3%) and 14 cases (23.3%), respectively. The two common causes of UGIB were varices (37.1%), and peptic ulcer diseases (PUD) (31.4%). The BUN/Cr ratio of 30 or greater was higher in UGIB than LGIB (odds ratio [OR], 6.9; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.3-37.2). In UGIB, the BUN/Cr ratio of the varices group was higher than that of the PUD group (p=0.015). The OR for the BUN/Cr ratio appeared as 1.2 per unit increase in the varices group than the PUD group (95% CI, 1.03-1.3). There was no difference between the PUD group and Meckel's diverticulum group. Conclusion: The BUN/Cr ratio was not uneven in differentiating UGIB from LGIB of children with melena in our study. This suggests that BUN/Cr ratio should be interpreted carefully.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.613-618
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• 2019

Juvenile polyps are the most common types of polyps in children, and patients usually present with lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding as the predominant symptom. These lesions, which are referred to as hamartomas, usually measure approximately 2 cm in size and are benign tumors located mainly in the rectum and sigmoid colon. The most common symptom of a juvenile polyp is mild intermittent rectal bleeding. It is rare for anemic patients because the amount of blood loss is small and often not diagnosed immediately. We present the case of a 6-year-old girl with a juvenile polyp in the distal transverse colon, who developed hypovolemic shock due to massive lower GI bleeding. Pediatricians must perform colonoscopy for thorough evaluation of polyps, because their location and size can vary and they can cause massive bleeding.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.620-627
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• 2024

Background/Aims: Few multicenter studies have investigated the efficacy of hemostatic powders in gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. We aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of hemostatic powder therapy and the independent factors affecting rebleeding rates. Methods: We retrospectively recruited patients who underwent a new hemostatic adhesive powder (UI-EWD; Next-Biomedical) treatment for upper and lower GI bleeding between January 1, 2020 and March 1, 2023. We collected patients' medical records and bleeding lesions. The primary outcomes were clinical and technical success rates, and the secondary outcomes were early and delayed bleeding rates refractory bleeding rate, mortality rate, and factors affecting early rebleeding rates. Results: This study enrolled 135 patients (age: 67.7±13.6 years, male: 74.1%) from five hospitals. Indications for UI-EWD were peptic ulcers (51.1%), post-procedure-related bleeding (23.0%), and tumor bleeding (19.3%). The clinical and technical success rates were both 97%. The early, delayed, and refractory rebleeding rates were 19.3%, 11.1%, and 12.8%, respectively. Initially elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels (p=0.014) and Forrest classification IA or IB compared with IIA or IIB (p=0.036) were factors affecting early rebleeding. Conclusions: UI-EWD showed high clinical and technical success rates; however, rebleeding after UI-EWD therapy in patients with initially high BUN levels and active bleeding, according to the Forrest classification, should be considered.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.342-349
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• 2024

Background/Aims: Nonagenarians will purportedly account for 10% of the United States population by 2050. However, no studies have assessed the outcomes of nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) in this age group. Methods: The National Inpatient Sample database between 2016 and 2020 was used to compare the clinical outcomes of NVUGIB in nonagenarians and octogenarians and evaluate predictors of mortality and the use of esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Results: Nonagenarians had higher in-hospital mortality than that of octogenarians (4% vs. 3%, p<0.001). EGD utilization (30% vs. 48%, p<0.001) and blood transfusion (27% vs. 40%, p<0.001) was significantly lower in nonagenarians. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that nonagenarians with NVUGIB had higher odds of mortality (odds ratio [OR], 1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-1.7) and lower odds of EGD utilization (OR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.83-0.89) than those of octogenarians. Conclusions: Nonagenarians admitted with NVUGIB have a higher mortality risk than that of octogenarians. EGD is used significantly in managing NVUGIB among nonagenarians; however, its utilization is comparatively lower than in octogenarians. More studies are needed to assess predictors of poor outcomes and the indications of EGD in this growing population.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.84 no.3
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• pp.520-535
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• 2023

Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is not a single disease but a symptom and clinical manifestation of a broad spectrum of conditions in the GI tract. According to its clinical presentation, GI bleeding can be classified into overt, occult, and obscure types. Additionally, it can be divided into upper and lower GI bleeding based on the Treitz ligament. Variable disease entities, including vascular lesions, polyps, neoplasms, inflammation such as Crohn's disease, and heterotopic pancreatic or gastric tissue, can cause GI bleeding. CT and conventional angiographies and nuclear scintigraphy are all radiologic imaging modalities that can be used to evaluate overt bleeding. For the work-up of occult GI bleeding, CT enterography (CTE) can be the first imaging modality. For CTE, an adequate bowel distention is critical for obtaining acceptable diagnostic performance as well as minimizing false positives and negatives. Meckel's scintigraphy can be complementarily useful in cases where the diagnosis of CTE is suboptimal. For the evaluation of obscured GI bleeding, various imaging modalities can be used based on clinical status and providers' preferences.

• The Korean journal of internal medicine
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.261-271
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• 2024

Background/Aims: Mucoprotective agents, such as eupatilin, are often prescribed to prevent gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in addition to an acid suppressant despite the absence of a large-scale study. We evaluated the additional effect of eupatilin on the prevention of GI bleeding in both the upper and lower GI tract in concomitant aspirin and acid suppressant users using the nationwide database of national claims data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). Methods: An aspirin cohort was constructed using the NHIS claims data from 2013 to 2020. Patients who manifested with hematemesis, melena, or hematochezia were considered to have GI bleeding. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to determine the risk factors for GI bleeding associated with the concomitant use of GI drugs and other covariates among aspirin users. Results: Overall, a total of 432,208 aspirin users were included. The concurrent use of an acid suppressant and eupatilin (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.85, p = 0.016, vs. acid suppressant only) was a statistically significant preventive factor for GI bleeding. Moreover, a more than 3-month duration (HR = 0.88, p = 0.030) of acid suppressant and eupatilin prescription (vs. acid suppressant only) was a statistically significant preventive factor for GI bleeding. Conclusions: Eupatilin administration for ≥ 3 months showed additional preventive effect on GI bleeding in concomitant aspirin and acid suppressant users. Thus, cotreatment with eupatilin with a duration of 3 months or longer is recommended for reducing GI bleeding among aspirin plus acid suppressant users.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.53-60
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• 2013

In Crohn's disease, mild gastrointestinal bleeding often occurs; however massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage, which can have a dramatic effect on a patient's vital sign, is rare. This could result in potentially life-threatening complications, which can lead to death. Massive hemorrhagic Crohn's disease is not well known and for this reason, they are a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Various diagnostic and therapeutic methods are currently being developed and used. The surgical method is often used only as a last measure since this approach has the risk of serious complications that may endanger patients. However, if massive bleeding continues even after all therapeutic methods are used, the surgical method must be implemented. In this case, all therapeutic methods were found to be ineffective; therefore, surgery was used as a last option. Ultimately, the surgical method was found to be successfully used to treat life-threatening hemorrhagic Crohn's disease.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.88-90
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• 2017

Although Dieulafoy lesion can occur in any part of the gastrointestinal tract, its occurrence in the rectum is rare. Rectal Dieulafoy lesions have been associated with advanced age, renal failure, burns, liver transplantation and cirrhosis. Here, we report on a case of massive bleeding from a rectal Dieulafoy lesion after lung decortication surgery in a 57-year-old male patient with alcoholic cirrhosis. Although rare, a rectal Dieulafoy lesion should be included in the differential diagnosis of massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding in a patient with cirrhosis.