EPIDEMIOLOGIC AND ETIOLOGIC FEATURES OF U PPER GASTROINTESTINAL-BLEEDING - MULTICENTRIC STUDY IN 9 CHILEAN HOSPITALS

An epidemiological survey about the Incidence of upper gastrointestina l bleeding during three periods (1980, 1985 and 1990), was performed i n 9 Chilean hospitals. Its annual incidence decreased in 1990, when co mpared to 1980. Likewise the etiologies changed, with an increase in t he incidence of duodenal ulcers and a decrease in the incidence of ero sive gastritis and bleeding of unknown origin In 1990. A seasonal vari ation with higher bleeding rates in autumn was also recorded