Seasonal distribution of gastrointestinal bleedings and evaluation of its effect on prognosis

Hemorrhagic tables occurring in any part of the gastrointestinal system due to various reasons are called gastrointestinal bleedings. The severity of gastrointestinal bleedings ranges from spontaneous recovery to death. It is very important to manage these bleedings both in the acute presentation phase and during hospitalization or intensive care stay. It has been shown that seasonal variables have an effect on various pathologies. It is believed that seasons may also have an effect on the frequency, severity, and prognosis of gastrointestinal system bleedings. However, the existence of conflicting results regarding the effects of seasons on gastrointestinal bleeding has prevented a common view. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of gastrointestinal bleedings by seasons and the determinant or influencing role of the seasons in prognosis. The data of patients who had lower or upper gastrointestinal system bleeding and applied to our hospital between 2017 and 2022 were retrospectively examined. A sample of 180 patients was included according to the inclusion criterias. It was determined that gastrointestinal bleeding was most frequently seen in the autumn season with a rate of 29.4%. The autumn season was followed by the summer, spring, and winter seasons, respectively. It was found that bleeding was most frequent in may and november with a rate of 10.6%. There was no difference by seasons in prognostic evaluations such as intensive care need, mortality status, and need for blood transfusion in lower and upper gastrointestinal system bleedings (p-values respectively 0,299; 0,474; 0,331). Similarly, no differences were found by seasons for these variables specifically for non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleedings (p-values respectively 0,647; 0,552; 0,692). A difference was found among the Glasgow-Blatchford bleeding score, the complete Rockall score, the risk of rebleeding, and the risk of mortality scores according to the patients' mortality status (p<0,001). It was determined by us that mortality can be predicted with these scores. Seasonal factors did not have a determinant or influencing role in prognosis of patients with gastrointestinal bleeding.