Management of non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding in the Gaza Strip: survey of evidence-based practice

Background Early recognition, comprehensive assessment, and evidence-based care are crucial to reduce morbidity and mortality due to non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). The aim of this study was to compare the present treatment of non-variceal UGIB in Gaza hospitals with the best available, evidence-based recommendations. Methods We distributed 47 questionnaires to doctors in medical departments of three hospitals (Naser Hospital, Alshifa Hospital, and the European Gaza Hospital) about current management strategies for non-variceal UGIB in two hospitals in the Gaza Strip—the European Gaza Hospital and the Shifa hospital. The questions covered target haemoglobin for blood transfusion, duration of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) infusion after endoscopic therapy, use of nasogastric tubes, and use of endoscopic stigmata of recent haemorrhage for therapeutic decisions. Answers from both hospitals were compared with the best available evidence from guidelines by the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), published in 2012. Findings 47 questionnaires were completed and returned. Only ten (20%) of responders considered the ACG-reccommended 7 g/100 mL as the best threshold for transfusion (most used a higher dose), and only 12 (25%) followed the evidence with respect to the dose and duration of intravenous infusion of PPIs after endoscopic therapy. By contrast, 42 (90%) respondents complied with ACG recommendations of not to routinely use nasogastric tubes, and 38 (80%) used endoscopic stigmata of recent haemorrhage to guide treatment decisions for patients. Finally, only 25 (53%) respondents matched the ACG guidelines about the optimum time to reuse aspirin after non-variceal UGIB. Interpretation Overall, about half of the responses matched that stated in ACG guidelines, which suggests that only half of the decisions about treatment of non-variceal UGIB made by doctors in Gaza hospitals are based on the best available evidence. A potential limitation of our study was that our questionnaire only covered common and relevant aspects of management, not all aspects of therapy