The relationship between ABO blood group and blood transfusion in upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Introduction: ABO blood group (BG) antigens found in many cells and tissues, especially in erythrocytes, have been associated with many diseases including cardiovascular diseases, infections, and malignancies. The association of ABO BG with duodenal and gastric ulcers and upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGB) has been investigated in few studies and the information on this subject is limited. The primary objective of our study is to examine whether there is an association between ABO BG and UGB, and the secondary objective is to examine whether there is an association between ABO BG and UGB in patients who received blood transfusions after bleeding. Methods: The prevalence values of A, B, AB, 0 BG and Rh antigens, endoscopic procedure, and blood transfusion information of patients who were diagnosed with UGB by endoscopic examination and hospitalized were recorded. Healthy individuals without UGB in the same period were included as the control group (CG). Those who had UGB by endoscopic examination constituted the study group (SG) while those who received at least 2 units of blood transfusion formed the transfusion group (TG). Results: SG consisted of 423 patients, TG included 383 patients, and CG had 1650 individuals. While the risk of bleeding was higher in SG patients with BG 0 (OR 1.33 1.07-1.66 P=0.009), the bleeding risk was lower in SG patients with BG B (OR 0.77 0.63-0.95 P=0.014). In addition, while the risk of bleeding was higher in TG patients with BG 0 (OR 1.35 1.08-1.70 P=0.009), the bleeding risk was lower in TG patients with BG B (OR 0.55 0.38-0.79 P=0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in SG, and TG in other BG A and AB and no significant difference in Rh. Conclusion: While UGB is more common in individuals with BG 0, it is less common in individuals with BG B. The risk of need for blood transfusion during the follow-up period of these patients in the ward is higher in patients with BG 0 but lower in patients with BG B. Keywords: Blood group, bleeding, transfusion