Research Article

Evaluation of the Effects of Shock Index, Serum Lactate, and Plasma Osmolarity Levels on Morbidity and Mortality in Patients Diagnosed with Gastrointestinal System Bleeding in the Emergency Department

Volume: 8 Number: 1 May 2, 2026
EN TR

Evaluation of the Effects of Shock Index, Serum Lactate, and Plasma Osmolarity Levels on Morbidity and Mortality in Patients Diagnosed with Gastrointestinal System Bleeding in the Emergency Department

Abstract

Objective: Gastrointestinal system (GIS) bleeding is a frequent cause of emergency department admissions with substantial morbidity and mortality. Although validated scoring systems exist, they are complex and require endoscopic or multiple laboratory parameters. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of shock index, serum lactate, and plasma osmolarity, which are simple and rapidly obtainable parameters, in predicting mortality in patients presenting with GIS bleeding. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 311 patients admitted to the Emergency Medicine Clinic of University of Health Sciences, Bağcılar Training and Research Hospital between January 2019 and December 2021 with a diagnosis of GIS bleeding. Demographic data, clinical findings, and laboratory parameters were analyzed. Shock index, serum lactate, and plasma osmolarity were calculated for each patient. Survivors and non-survivors were compared using univariate and multivariate statistical analyses. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to assess predictive performance. Results: The mean age of the study population was 61.6 ± 18.8 years, with a male predominance (70%). Overall mortality was 2.9% (n=9), significantly higher in female patients (6.5% vs. 1.4%, p=0.015). Non-survivors exhibited markedly elevated lactate (9.71 ± 1.50 mmol/L vs. 2.19 ± 1.36 mmol/L), osmolarity (327.25 ± 16.89 mOsm/L vs. 291.08 ± 8.96 mOsm/L), and shock index (1.34 ± 0.11 vs. 0.80 ± 0.19) compared to survivors (all p<0.001). ROC curve analysis revealed excellent predictive value: lactate (AUC=1.000), osmolarity (AUC=0.998), and shock index (AUC=0.985). Multivariate regression confirmed these parameters as independent predictors of mortality. Conclusion: Serum lactate, shock index, and plasma osmolarity are simple, inexpensive, and rapidly obtainable parameters that independently predict mortality in GIS bleeding. Their incorporation into initial risk assessment may improve early prognostication, guide clinical decision-making, and optimize resource allocation in emergency settings.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

The authors declared that this study received no financial support.

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by the Istanbul Medipol University Non-Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee (Decision No: 21, Date: 06/01/2022, Approval Number: E-10840098-772.02-188).

References

  1. 1. Saltzman JR, Tabak YP, Hyett BH, Sun X, Travis AC, Johannes RS. A simple risk score accurately predicts in-hospital mortality, length of stay, and cost in acute upper GI bleeding. Gastrointest Endosc. 2011;74(6):1215-24.
  2. 2. García Rodríguez LA, Martín-Pérez M, Hennekens CH, Rothwell PM, Lanas A. Bleeding risk with long-term low-dose aspirin: a systematic review of observational studies. PLoS One. 2016;11(8):e0160046.
  3. 3. Kim BS, Li BT, Engel A, Samra JS, Clarke S, Norton ID, Li AE. Diagnosis of gastrointestinal bleeding: a practical guide for clinicians. World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. 2014;5(4):467-78.
  4. 4. Gaiani F, De'Angelis N, Kayali S, Manfredi M, Di Mario F, Leandro G, et al. Clinical approach to the patient with acute gastrointestinal bleeding. Acta Biomed. 2018;89(8-S):12-9.
  5. 5. El-Tawil AM. Trends on gastrointestinal bleeding and mortality: where are we standing? World J Gastroenterol. 2012;18(11):1154-8.
  6. 6. Kurien M, Lobo AJ. Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Clin Med (Lond). 2015;15(5):481-5.
  7. 7. Wilkins T, Khan N, Nabh A, Schade RR. Diagnosis and management of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Am Fam Physician. 2012;85(5):469-76.
  8. 8. Shen Y, Cheng X, Ying M, Chang HT, Zhang W. Association between serum osmolarity and mortality in patients who are critically ill: a retrospective cohort study. BMJ Open. 2017;7(5):e015729.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Emergency Medicine

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

May 2, 2026

Submission Date

January 24, 2026

Acceptance Date

March 27, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 8 Number: 1

APA
Rahimi, B., Göncü, S., Yalimol, M., Yalımol, N., Sever, M. Y., Sarıdaş, A., & Coşkun, A. (2026). Evaluation of the Effects of Shock Index, Serum Lactate, and Plasma Osmolarity Levels on Morbidity and Mortality in Patients Diagnosed with Gastrointestinal System Bleeding in the Emergency Department. Eurasian Journal of Critical Care, 8(1), 9-16. https://doi.org/10.55994/ejcc.1870595
AMA
1.Rahimi B, Göncü S, Yalimol M, et al. Evaluation of the Effects of Shock Index, Serum Lactate, and Plasma Osmolarity Levels on Morbidity and Mortality in Patients Diagnosed with Gastrointestinal System Bleeding in the Emergency Department. Eurasian j Crit Care. 2026;8(1):9-16. doi:10.55994/ejcc.1870595
Chicago
Rahimi, Burcu, Sultan Göncü, Mustafa Yalimol, et al. 2026. “Evaluation of the Effects of Shock Index, Serum Lactate, and Plasma Osmolarity Levels on Morbidity and Mortality in Patients Diagnosed With Gastrointestinal System Bleeding in the Emergency Department”. Eurasian Journal of Critical Care 8 (1): 9-16. https://doi.org/10.55994/ejcc.1870595.
EndNote
Rahimi B, Göncü S, Yalimol M, Yalımol N, Sever MY, Sarıdaş A, Coşkun A (May 1, 2026) Evaluation of the Effects of Shock Index, Serum Lactate, and Plasma Osmolarity Levels on Morbidity and Mortality in Patients Diagnosed with Gastrointestinal System Bleeding in the Emergency Department. Eurasian Journal of Critical Care 8 1 9–16.
IEEE
[1]B. Rahimi et al., “Evaluation of the Effects of Shock Index, Serum Lactate, and Plasma Osmolarity Levels on Morbidity and Mortality in Patients Diagnosed with Gastrointestinal System Bleeding in the Emergency Department”, Eurasian j Crit Care, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 9–16, May 2026, doi: 10.55994/ejcc.1870595.
ISNAD
Rahimi, Burcu - Göncü, Sultan - Yalimol, Mustafa - Yalımol, Nuşin - Sever, Muhammed Yasar - Sarıdaş, Ali - Coşkun, Abuzer. “Evaluation of the Effects of Shock Index, Serum Lactate, and Plasma Osmolarity Levels on Morbidity and Mortality in Patients Diagnosed With Gastrointestinal System Bleeding in the Emergency Department”. Eurasian Journal of Critical Care 8/1 (May 1, 2026): 9-16. https://doi.org/10.55994/ejcc.1870595.
JAMA
1.Rahimi B, Göncü S, Yalimol M, Yalımol N, Sever MY, Sarıdaş A, Coşkun A. Evaluation of the Effects of Shock Index, Serum Lactate, and Plasma Osmolarity Levels on Morbidity and Mortality in Patients Diagnosed with Gastrointestinal System Bleeding in the Emergency Department. Eurasian j Crit Care. 2026;8:9–16.
MLA
Rahimi, Burcu, et al. “Evaluation of the Effects of Shock Index, Serum Lactate, and Plasma Osmolarity Levels on Morbidity and Mortality in Patients Diagnosed With Gastrointestinal System Bleeding in the Emergency Department”. Eurasian Journal of Critical Care, vol. 8, no. 1, May 2026, pp. 9-16, doi:10.55994/ejcc.1870595.
Vancouver
1.Burcu Rahimi, Sultan Göncü, Mustafa Yalimol, Nuşin Yalımol, Muhammed Yasar Sever, Ali Sarıdaş, Abuzer Coşkun. Evaluation of the Effects of Shock Index, Serum Lactate, and Plasma Osmolarity Levels on Morbidity and Mortality in Patients Diagnosed with Gastrointestinal System Bleeding in the Emergency Department. Eurasian j Crit Care. 2026 May 1;8(1):9-16. doi:10.55994/ejcc.1870595