Gastrointestinal bleeding in older people

Aging is associated with an increased rate of comorbidity, greater medicati on use, and atypical clinical presentations. The aging of the population ma kes the evaluation and management of gastrointestinal bleeding in older peo ple a special and increasingly common clinical challenge. The unique featur es and common causes of upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding in older people are reviewed. Important management issues considered include hemodyn amic resuscitation, anticoagulation, and endoscopic and surgical therapy.