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PubMed2003

Concomitant coumarin-NSAID therapy and risk for bleeding.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk of bleeding complications during the combined use of coumarin derivatives and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) compared with the use of coumarin derivatives alone. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In this 1-year observational study, the local outpatient anticoagulation office detected all coumarin users with bleeding complications. These patients were sent questionnaires regarding the type and consequences of the bleeding as well as previous NSAID use. The local pharmacists detected patients with concomitant coumarin and NSAID prescriptions (but no bleeding). The relative risk for bleeding due to concomitant coumarin and NSAID use was estimated. RESULTS: During 1 year, 738 hemorrhages were identified in 681 coumarin users. In 12.2% of these cases, an NSAID was involved. In contrast, in the whole population of coumarin users, 2.5% were prescribed an NSAID. Therefore, the relative risk of NSAID use with regard to bleeding complications was 5.8 (95% CI 2.3 to 13.6). CONCLUSIONS: NSAID use during coumarin therapy considerably increases the bleeding risk compared with coumarin therapy alone. Although in daily practice these medications are frequently prescribed concomitantly, our results underscore the contraindication of concomitant use of NSAIDs and coumarin derivatives.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Anticoagulation in hospitalized patients with renal insufficiency: a comparison of bleeding rates with unfractionated heparin vs enoxaparin.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the rates of bleeding complications in patients with renal insufficiency who receive anticoagulation therapy with the full therapeutic dose, unfractionated heparin (UFH), or with twice-daily enoxaparin. SETTING: A 325-bed community teaching hospital. STUDY TYPE: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: The medical records of all patients with renal insufficiency who received anticoagulation therapy with UFH or enoxaparin during a 13-month period were reviewed for the occurrence of major and minor bleeding. Incidence rates were computed per 1,000-person days of anticoagulation therapy. Comparisons were made across categories of renal insufficiency and other potential confounders. RESULTS: A total of 620 patients with estimated glomerular filtration rates of < 60 mL/min were studied. Of these, 331 received anticoagulation therapy with UFH, 250 with enoxaparin, and 39 with both (not simultaneously). The major bleeding rates were 26.3 per 1,000 person-days for UFH and 20.7 per 1,000 person-days for enoxaparin. Major bleeding complications were similarly increased for both UFH and enoxaparin therapy across categories of worsening renal insufficiency. Patients with severe renal insufficiency while receiving enoxaparin had a 154% excess incidence of minor bleeding compared to those receiving UFH (incidence ratio, 2.54; 95% confidence interval, 1.01 to 6.36). Worsening renal insufficiency, female gender, and prolonged duration of anticoagulation therapy emerged as the main determinants for bleeding complications. CONCLUSION: Both the twice-daily enoxaparin and UFH regimens are associated with comparable increases in major bleeding complications in patients with renal dysfunction receiving full-dose anticoagulation therapy. Both agents should be used with caution in anticoagulation therapy for patients with renal insufficiency.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Management of acute bleeding after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

BACKGROUND: The authors reviewed the incidence of hemorrhage after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP). The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of this complication and to evaluate various treatment options. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The records for 450 consecutive patients who had undergone LRYGBP over a 30-month period, were retrospectively reviewed. In all patients, the abdominal cavity had been drained with 2 19-Fr closed suction drains. The charts of patients who had developed an intraluminal or an intraabdominal bleed were chosen for further review. RESULTS: 20 patients (4.4%) developed an acute postoperative hemorrhage. The bleeding was intraluminal in 12 cases (60%), manifested by a drop in hematocrit, tachycardia and melena. The other 8 patients (40%) developed intra-abdominal hemorrhage, confirmed by large bloody output from the drains. 3 patients (15%) with intraluminal bleeding were unstable and required a reoperation. All others were successfully treated with observation, and 15 patients (75%) required blood transfusions. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis and treatment of acute intraluminal bleeding after LRYGBP represents a surgical dilemma, mainly due to the inaccessibility of the bypassed stomach and the jejuno-jejunostomy, as well as the risks associated with early postoperative endoscopy. The presence of large intra-abdominal drains allows for bleeding site localization (intraluminal vs intraabdominal) and for more accurate monitoring of the bleeding rate. Most cases respond to conservative therapy. Failure of conservative management of intraluminal bleeding, however, is more problematic and may require operative intervention. A treatment algorithm is proposed.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1986

Interproximal gingival inflammation related to the conversion of a bleeding to a nonbleeding state.

Elimination of gingival bleeding has been related to a reduction in inflammation; however, histologic data are not available to support this association. The purpose of this study was to characterize the histology of interproximal gingiva that was converted from a bleeding to a nonbleeding state. An interproximal gingival biopsy was obtained from each of 32 patients, 15 of whom bled upon stimulation with a soft wooden interdental cleaner. The remaining 17 biopsies were obtained from sites which initially bled, but were converted to nonbleeding by scaling and interproximal plaque control. Specimens were processed for light microscopic evaluation and subjected to a morphometric analysis for various tissue components. Data from bleeding and "stopped bleeding" specimens were compared using analysis of covariance. The results indicated that "stopped bleeding" specimens had significantly less inflamed connective tissue. It was concluded that the conversion of a bleeding to a nonbleeding state corresponds with a histological reduction in the magnitude of the interproximal inflammatory lesion and provides a rationale, therefore, for the use of bleeding to monitor the effects of therapeutic methods.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Cell populations associated with conversion from bleeding to nonbleeding gingiva.

The purpose of this study was to observe changes in cell populations of the interdental gingival tissue, which accompanied the conversion of a bleeding to a nonbleeding state induced by scaling and improved oral hygiene. Fifteen bleeding and 18 stopped-bleeding interproximal gingival biopsies were obtained from 33 patients and processed for light microscopic evaluation. The morphometric analysis of eight connective tissue components revealed that the percentage volume density of all inflammatory cells decreased, and the percentage of fibroblasts and collagen increased, when the gingiva changed from a bleeding to a nonbleeding state. Furthermore, the inflammatory cell infiltrate in bleeding and stopped-bleeding specimens was dominated by mononuclear cells of the lymphocyte/macrophage/monocyte group, while plasma cells and polymorphonuclear leukocytes comprised only a small fraction of the inflammatory cells present. Significant repair of gingival connective tissue had occurred in the stopped-bleeding specimens.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding associated with the use of NSAIDs: newer versus older agents.

AIM: The relative gastrointestinal toxicity of NSAIDs in normal clinical practice is unknown. The aim of this study was to estimate the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding associated with NSAIDs and analgesics, with special emphasis on those agents that have been introduced in recent years. DESIGN: Multicentre case-control study. PATIENTS: All incident community cases of upper gastrointestinal bleeding from a gastric or duodenal lesion in patients aged >18 years of age (4309 cases). After secondary exclusions, 2813 cases and 7193 matched controls were included in the analysis. SETTING: Eighteen hospitals in Spain and Italy with a total study experience of 10,734,897 person-years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Odds ratios of upper gastrointestinal bleeding for each drug, with adjustment for potential confounders. For each individual drug the reference category was defined as those not exposed to the drug. RESULTS: The incidence of upper gastrointestinal bleeding was 401.4 per million inhabitants aged >18 years. Thirty-eight percent of cases were attributable to NSAIDs. Individual risks for each NSAID were dose dependent. Ketorolac was associated with the highest risk estimate (24.7; 95% CI 8.0, 77.0). For newer NSAIDs, the risks were as follows: aceclofenac 1.4 (95% CI 0.6, 3.3), celecoxib 0.3 (95% CI 0.03, 4.1), dexketoprofen 4.9 (95% CI 1.7, 13.9), meloxicam 5.7 (95% CI 2.2, 15.0), nimesulide 3.2 (95% CI 1.9, 5.6) and rofecoxib 7.2 (95% CI 2.3, 23.0). The risk was significantly increased in patients with a history of peptic ulcer and/or upper gastrointestinal bleeding, and in those taking antiplatelet drugs. CONCLUSIONS: NSAID-induced upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a common cause of hospital admission. Apart from the patient's history of peptic ulcer, its risk depends on the particular drug and its dose, and on concomitant treatments. Our results do not confirm that greater selectivity for COX-2 confers less risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Bleeding as a complication to endoscopic biopsies from the gastric remnant after ulcer surgery.

Bleeding is a potential but rare complication after endoscopic biopsies of the gastric mucosa in non-operated patients. The resected stomach, however, seems to run an increased risk of this complication. In a retrospective study comprising 1843 consecutive biopsy examinations of the gastric remnant, 15 bleeding episodes were recorded (0.8%). The frequency of bleeding was 1.1% for the Billroth-II-resected stomach and 0.2% for the Billroth-I-resected stomach. In two patients the bleeding was excessive, requiring emergency surgery. Six other patients required blood transfusions. The observed frequency of bleeding was probably a minimal estimate, suggested by a 20% occult bleeding found in a small prospective study. When planning follow-up examination of patients who have had a gastrectomy, the risk of bleeding should be taken into account, and the patients should be appropriately informed and supervised.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Factors influencing mortality from bleeding peptic ulcers.

The mortality, causes of death, and the factors that are influencing deaths from bleeding acute and chronic peptic ulcers were evaluated retrospectively. During a 2-year period (1986-87) 272 patients were endoscoped for acute gastrointestinal hemorrhage and were found to have bled from a peptic ulcer (chronic gastric ulcers, 90; chronic duodenal ulcers, 114; acute gastroduodenal ulcers, 66; stomal ulcers, 2). The overall mortality was 9.6% (n = 26) (gastric ulcers, 6.7%; duodenal ulcers, 11.4%; acute ulcers, 10.6%). Statistically significant factors adversely affecting prognosis for gastric ulcer were re-bleeding, need for operation and serious intercurrent illness; for duodenal ulcer were units of transfused blood, re-bleeding, signs of recent hemorrhage at endoscopy, need for operation, and serious intercurrent illness; and for acute ulcer were increasing age, shock, units of transfused blood, re-bleeding, and serious intercurrent illness. Multivariate analysis was only attempted for duodenal ulcers because of sample sizes; it suggested that active bleeding or visible vessel at endoscopy, re-bleeding, and serious intercurrent illness were independent factors for mortality. From this study it is apparent that the major determinants of a fatal outcome in bleeding peptic ulcer diseases were serious intercurrent illness and rebleeding. As it must be anticipated that patients with these particular problems are at high risk of a poor outcome, it follows that it is important they have access to skilled treatment as provided by a specialist team in an intensive care ward. It also follows that every effort should be made to keep ulcers in remission to free the ulcer patient of potentially lethal complications.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Same-day upper and lower endoscopy in patients with occult bleeding, melena, hematochezia, and/or microcytic anemia. A retrospective study of 224 patients.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of same-day upper and lower endoscopy in patients investigated for non-acute gastrointestinal bleeding, manifested by occult bleeding, melena, or hematochezia and/or anemia suspected to be caused by gastrointestinal bleeding. A total of 224 patients, 127 women and 97 men, were reviewed. A potential bleeding source (PBS) in the upper gastrointestinal tract could have been missed in 25% of the patients if only colonoscopy had been performed. In nearly the same proportion of patients (26%) a potential bleeding source could have been missed if only esophagogastroduodenoscopy had been performed. Nine per cent of the patients had a potential bleeding source in both locations. Forty-six per cent (19 of 41) of the patients with a PBS in colon, other than colonic cancer, had a PBS also in the upper gastrointestinal tract. The chance of finding a potential bleeding source in patients with microcytic anemia and positive Hemoccult test is threefold higher than for the patients with microcytic anemia and negative Hemoccult test and twofold higher than in patients with normal blood hemoglobin value but positive Hemoccult test. Moreover, 22% (8 of 36) of the patients with microcytic anemia and a positive Hemoccult test had colonic carcinoma. Approximately 30% of the patients with a PBS had two or more PBSs in one or more organs. Eighteen per cent of 43 patients with a history of upper gastrointestinal symptoms had a PBS in the upper gastrointestinal tract. The corresponding figure for the patients without a history of upper gastrointestinal symptoms was 29%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1996

The role of an open-access bleeding unit in the management of colonic haemorrhage. A 2-year prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Major colonic haemorrhage poses difficult diagnostic and therapeutic problems and, in contrast to upper gastrointestinal bleeding, has no generally accepted plan of management. METHODS: We report community-based prospective data accumulated over 2 years (1991-93) on 1602 patients referred to an open-access bleeding unit with suspected gastrointestinal haemorrhage. RESULTS: Of 278 (17%) admissions with suspected lower GI haemorrhage, 252 were confirmed. Forty-eight per cent were defined as "significant' bleeds, with a decrease in haemoglobin and cardiovascular compromise. Of 102 significant bleeds in subjects more than 60 years old, 29% rebled, and 12.6% required emergency surgery. Diverticular disease (24%) was the commonest diagnosis, with tumours, infective colitis, and inflammatory colitis each at 10%. The overall 30-day mortality for colonic bleeding was 5.1% (13 of 252), with only 1 death occurring in the group less than 60 years old. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a unique database for the natural history of colonic bleeding and its management within the setting of a specialized bleeding unit.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Post operative upper gastrointestinal bleeding in the aged].

A 10-year experience with 2,441 patients over 65 years of age undergoing operations for non-upper gastrointestinal tracts was reviewed to evaluate both the incidence of postoperative upper gastrointestinal bleeding and the clinical risk factors associated with the complication. A total of 18 (0.7%, 7 males and 11 females) patients had overt postoperative upper gastrointestinal bleeding of non-variceal origin documented by endoscopic findings or blood transfusions. Of these, the complication developed in 10 (1.5%) of 646 patients after an operation for biliary or pancreatic disease, 1 (1.5%) of 64 for aneurysmal or obstructive arterial disease, 5 (1.1%) of 43 for colorectal cancer and 2 (0.3%) of 916 for hernia. The incidences of bleeding after an operation for obstructive jaundice (3.8%), for biliary or pancreatic malignancy (4.5%), and of unavoidable diversion colostomy for colorectal anastomosis (3.1%) were significantly higher than for non-jaundice (0.6%), for non-malignancy (1.1%) and of postoperative upper gastrointestinal bleeding in the present study. The origins of bleeding were gastric ulcer in 11, acute gastric mucosal lesion in 4, duodenal ulcer in 1 and other in 2. All cases of bleeding were treated and met success in hemostasis using H2-blockers. Of these, however, 5 patients died of multiple organ failure despite discontinued hemorrhage, prophylactic use of H2-blockers showed a decrease in occurrence of postoperative upper gastrointestinal bleeding in the present study.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Diagnosis and treatment of small intestinal bleeding: retrospective analysis of 76 cases.

AIM: To investigate the causes of small intestinal bleeding as well as its diagnosis and therapeutic approaches. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted according to the clinical records of 76 patients with small intestinal bleeding admitted to our hospital in the past 5 years. RESULTS: In these patients, tumor was the most frequent cause of small intestinal bleeding (37/76), followed by Mecke's diverticulum (21/76), angiopathy (15/76) and ectopic pancreas (3/76). Of the 76 patients, 21 were diagnosed by digital subtraction angiography, 13 by barium and air double contrast X-ray examination of the small intestine, 11 by 99mTc-sestamibi scintigraphy of the abdominal cavity, 6 by enteroscopy of the small intestine, 21 by laparoscopic laparotomy, and 4 by exploratory laparotomy. Although all the patients received surgical treatment, most of them (68/76) received part enterectomy covering the diseased segment and enteroanastomosis. The follow-up time ranged from 1 year to 5 years. No case had recurrent alimentary tract bleeding or other complications. CONCLUSION: Tumor is the major cause of small intestinal bleeding followed by Meckel's diverticulum and angiopathy. The main approaches to definite diagnosis of small intestinal bleeding include digital subtraction angiography, 99mTc-sestamibi scintigraphy of the abdominal cavity, barium and air double contrast X-ray examination of the small intestine, laparoscopic laparotomy or exploratory laparotomy. Part enterectomy covering the diseased segment and enteroanastomosis are the most effective treatment modalities for small intestinal bleeding.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

A head to head comparison of oral vs intravenous omeprazole for patients with bleeding peptic ulcers with a clean base, flat spots and adherent clots.

AIM: To compare the effect of intravenous and oral omeprazole in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers without high-risk stigmata. METHODS: This randomized study included 211 patients [112 receiving iv omeprazole protocol (Group 1), 99 receiving po omeprazole 40 mg every 12 h (Group 2)] with a mean age of 52.7. In 144 patients the ulcers showed a clean base, and in 46 the ulcers showed flat spots and in 21 old adherent clots. The endpoints were re-bleeding, surgery, hospital stay, blood transfusion and death. After discharge, re-bleeding and death were re-evaluated within 30 d. RESULTS: The study groups were similar with respect to baseline characteristics. Re-bleeding was recorded in 5 patients of Group 1 and in 4 patients of Group 2 (P = 0.879). Three patients in Group 1 and 2 in Group 2 underwent surgery (P = 0.773). The mean length of hospital stay was 4.6 +/- 1.6 d in Group 1 vs 4.5 +/- 2.6 d in Group 2 (P = 0.710); the mean amounts of blood transfusion were 1.9 +/- 1.1 units in Group 1 vs 2.1 +/- 1.7 units in Group 2 (P = 0.350). Four patients, two in each group died (P = 0.981). After discharge, a new bleeding occurred in 2 patients of Group 1 and in 1 patient of Group 2, and one patient from Group 1 died. CONCLUSION: We demonstrate that the effect of oral omeprazole is as effective as intravenous therapy in terms of re-bleeding, surgery, transfusion requirements, hospitalization and mortality in patients with bleeding ulcers with low risk stigmata. These patients can be treated effectively with oral omeprazole.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2000

Clinical results of the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) for the treatment of variceal bleeding.

BACKGROUND: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) has been popularized for the treatment of refractory variceal bleeding. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and long-term effect of TIPS in the treatment of variceal bleeding that is not controlled with pharmacological and endoscopic treatment. METHODS: Thirty-six patients who underwent transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) due to refractory variceal bleeding were included in the study. The effectiveness of portal decompression and bleeding control was evaluated. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed to analyse the degree of varices and portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG) before TIPS procedure and one to three weeks after TIPS. Angiography was performed in surviving patients, if bleeding recurred, or if ultrasonography or endoscopy suggested stent dysfunction. RESULTS: TIPS were successfully placed in 36 of 38 patients (94.6%). TIPS achieved hemostasis of variceal bleeding in 34 patients (94.4%). Portal venous pressure decreased from an initial average of 28.7 +/- 7.9 to 23.2 +/- 9.4 mmHg after TIPS (p < 0.05). The portosystemic pressure gradient was significantly decreased from 15.5 +/- 6.3 to 7.8 +/- 4.1 mmHg (p < 0.01). The degree of esophagogastric varices and PHG was significantly improved after TIPS. The total length of follow-up was from one day to 54 months (mean: 355 days). The actuarial probability of survival was 83% at one year and 74% at two years. Overall, 16 episodes of stent dysfunction were diagnosed during follow-up. Stent revision by means of angioplasty was successfully performed in 14 of these episodes. CONCLUSION: TIPS is an effective and reliable nonoperative means of lowering portal pressure. This procedure has proved useful in the management of acute variceal bleeding refractory to endoscopic treatment. Surveillance by ultrasonography, endoscopy, and angiographic intervention is useful for the maintenance of shunt patency.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Results of systematic screening for serious gastrointestinal bleeding associated with NSAIDs in Rostock hospitals.

OBJECTIVES: Gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcers may lead to life-threatening complications. One of the causes is use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). METHODS: All hospital admissions in 1998 to the Departments of Internal Medicine, including the Intensive Care Unit and the Department of Surgery, in 2 hospitals in Rostock were prospectively screened for gastrointestinal bleeding. Whether the bleeding was due to an adverse drug reaction ADR or not was assessed using the rating scale of Begaud et al. [1985] for each drug taken. The risk profile and the drug history of all patients with gastrointestinal bleeding were registered. RESULTS: A total of 58 patients with gastrointestinal bleeding due to NSAIDs were documented. Risk factors for bleeding were cardiac diseases, hypertension, diabetes, age over 60 years, history of ulcer, a Helicobacter pylori infection, smoking and consumption of alcohol together with drugs known to have a risk of causing gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcers (antiplatelet drugs, anticoagulants, corticosteroids). About 70% of these patients had 3 or more risk factors, but only 20% had been receiving effective prophylaxis with a proton pump inhibitor. CONCLUSION: Gastrointestinal problems resulting from the use of NSAIDs are clinically important. It is concluded, that individual risk profiles, as a criterion for the prophylactic use of effective protective drugs, would be helpful in patients management.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The management of acutely bleeding varices by injection sclerotherapy.

Acutely bleeding varices present a therapeutic dilemma because of the limited efficacy and high complication rates of conventional treatments. Over a period of 26 months, 56 episodes of acutely bleeding varices were treated with injection sclerotherapy as the initial management. Immediate control of haemorrhage was achieved in 91% of patients and control of bleeding during the hospital admission in 84%. Balloon tamponade and surgery were reserved for those patients in whom bleeding was not controlled by sclerotherapy; in 66% of patients the bleeding was controlled by sclerotherapy alone. Of the 56 episodes, 75% survived their admission to hospital. Acute injection sclerotherapy is as least as effective as conventional therapies in the control of bleeding with a low incidence of complications. The technique can be used in all patients irrespective of the severity of their liver disease and, when bleeding is controlled, allows the physician the choice of all the available prophylactic therapies.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1985

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with chronic renal failure.

Endoscopy to evaluate upper gastrointestinal bleeding was done for 482 patients over a 42-month period. Fifty-nine patients (12%) had chronic renal failure and upper gastrointestinal bleeding; the remaining 423 did not have renal failure. Angiodysplasia of the stomach or duodenum was the most frequent source of bleeding in patients with renal failure. Angiodysplasia (p less than 0.001) and erosive esophagitis (p less than 0.01) were significantly commoner causes of bleeding in the renal failure population than in the group without renal failure. Recurrent bleeding was also more frequent in patients with renal failure (25%) than in the other patients (11%). Angiodysplasia was the most frequent source of recurrent bleeding in patients with renal failure (53%) whereas peptic lesions were the most likely sources in those without renal failure (51%). These data show that the differential diagnoses of first and subsequent upper gastrointestinal bleeding sites differ for patients with and without chronic renal failure.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Bleeding injuries in professional football: estimating the risk for HIV transmission.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the risk for bleeding injuries in professional football and to estimate the risk for transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) through such injuries. DESIGN: A prospective, observational study. PARTICIPANTS: Professional football players from 11 teams of the National Football League were observed during 155 regular season games from September through December 1992. MEASUREMENTS: The frequencies of bleeding injuries were calculated in association with environmental and athletic factors. Using this information, HIV prevalence, and data on transmission of HIV in other circumstances, the risk for transmission of HIV during football games was estimated. RESULTS: 575 bleeding injuries (average, 3.7 per game for each team) involving 538 players (average, 3.5 players on each team per game) were observed. Approximately 88% of the bleeding injuries were abrasions; the remainder were lacerations. Bleeding injuries were markedly more frequent during games played on artificial surfaces, during games played in domed stadiums, and on teams with a final win/loss percentage of 0.500 or lower. Using data on the prevalence of HIV among college men and rates of HIV transmission in the health care setting, the risk for HIV transmission to each player was estimated to be less than 1 per 85 million game contacts. CONCLUSIONS: Although injuries occur in professional football competitions, bleeding injuries, especially lacerations, occur infrequently. We estimate that the risk for HIV transmission during such competition is extremely remote. The role of artificial playing surfaces on the incidence or severity of bleeding injuries should be investigated.

Chi-Square Distribution↗