[Association of gastroduodenal mucosa lesions and varices as a cause of upper digestive hemorrhage. Retrospective study at a university hospital].

During the period from August 1st, 1990 to June 15, 1992, 117 patients with portal hypertension and upper gastrointestinal bleeding were examined at the "GASTROCENTRO"--State University of Campinas--UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil few hours after hospital admission. The objectives were to study the association of gastroduodenal acute lesions and esophageal varices. The predominant ages were thirties and sixties years (83.76%), being 70.08% of males. The hematemesis occurred in 94.02% of the cases. The etiologies of the bleeding were: esophageal varices, 47.87%; gastroduodenal acute mucosal lesions, 34.19%; gastric varices, 9.4%; gastric ulcers, 5.98% and duodenal ulcers, 2.56%. The authors concluded that exists a significant association of acute gastroduodenal lesions and esophageal varices causing upper gastrointestinal bleeding. It is essential to examine early and in detail the gastroduodenal mucosa during upper digestive endoscopy in the patient with portal hypertension and esophageal varices to diagnose the etiology of the bleeding. It is advisable to perform endoscopic examination twice a year when the dyspeptic symptoms are constant, with previous treatment for gastroduodenal acute mucosal lesions or peptic ulcers, and annual in the others.