---

Background and Aim: Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is the second most common cause of peptic-ulcer and a common cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). The aim of this study was to evaluate demographic and behavioral characteristics of the hospitalized patients with UGIB who had been using NSAIDs, in Tohid hospital in Sanandaj, in Iran.
Material and Method: This descriptive, analytical study, included patients hospitalized in gastroenterology ward of Tohid Hospital due to UGIB and with history of using NSAIDs and related compounds (from February 2015 to February 2016). We used a questionnaire to record demographic, social, cultural and clinical characteristics of the subjects. Endoscopy was performed to determine causes of UGIB. Data were analyzed by using SPSS software.
Results: 60 patients were men (58.3%) and 43 were women (41.7%) with the mean age of 52.85±20.03. 8.4% of subjects had a family history of peptic ulcers in their first degree relatives, 26.9% and 6.8% had history of smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages respectively. 53.3% of the subjects had history of underlying disease of which chronic heart disease was the most frequent disorder (36%). The most frequent drugs used by the patients were aspirin and ibuprofen (58.3% and 42.7%, respectively). UGIB associated with aspirin use was more prevalent among the men than women. The main cause of bleeding (67%) was ulcer .There were no significant differences between causes of bleeding and use of NSAIDs, gender, age and age range of the patients. Also there was no significant difference in the mean age between both sexes (P> 0.5).
Conclusion: Considering the role of NSAIDs in UGIB, provision of necessary training for the correct use of NSAIDs (according to indications) and measures to eradicate H.Pylori infection will result in significant decrease in morbidity and mortality from UGIB in these patients.
Keywords: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Upper gastrointestinal bleeding,  Demographic and behavioral characteristics.
Received: Jan 30, 2017       Accepted: Jun 17, 2017