The effect of altitude difference on gastrointestinal bleeding in the chronic period

Abstract

Aim: The susceptibility to gastrointestinal bleeding is observed with an increase in altitude. There is no recommendation regarding altitude in terms of drug selection and dose to be used in diseases requiring antiaggregant and anticoagulant use. In this study, we aimed to determine whether there is a difference between gastrointestinal bleeding requiring hospitalization due to the use of antiaggregant and/or anticoagulant therapy between two populations living at different altitudes. Material and Method: This retrospective study was performed in two secondary care hospitals. Patients from Group B living in villages with an altitude of 9842 ft and above and Group F patients living in an area with an altitude of 30 ft were included. Patient’s demographic data, co-morbid diseases, antiaggregant and anticoagulant use, hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV values and platelet count were noted. Results: The study included a total of 118 patients with gastrointestinal bleeding. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of the drugs used by the patients, the types and numbers of drugs. Conclusion: We found that there was no significant difference between the groups with different altitudes in terms of drugs used by patients with gastrointestinal bleeding, drug types and numbers.