OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the cumulative dose of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in patients with hemorrhagic peptic ulcer and their complications along hospitalization.

MATERIAL AND METHOD:

A retrospective study done from July 2015 to December 2017 including two groups: one with a hospitalization history of perforation, rebleeding, endoscopic reintervention and death, another group without complications. We registered doses of different NSAIDs according to 10 mg of ketorolac, Charlson index, H. pylori infection and endoscopic Forrest classification.

RESULTS:

There were 156 admissions of hemorrhagic peptic ulcer with the administration of NSAIDs (average age 70 years, 53% men), complications occurred in 53 (33.9%). The average monthly dose of NSAID in the cases was 2121 mg vs 1970 mg in controls. The NSAID/week rate of 7.1 was associated with perforation. Charlson index correlated with complications. Death and physiological stress related with the administration of anticoagulants. Smoking and the male gender related to higher rebleeding.

CONCLUSIONS:

The higher the NSAID/weekly rate, the higher the probability of perforation with the need for surgery, longer hospital stay and increased number of transfusions.