Risk-stratifies upper GI bleeding to help decide who may be safe for outpatient management versus who needs admission.
What is the Glasgow-Blatchford Score?
Developed by Blatchford and colleagues, this score uses only clinical findings and basic labs (no endoscopy needed) to predict which patients with upper GI bleeding need transfusion, endoscopic intervention, or are at higher risk overall.
Interpretation
| Score | Risk |
|---|
| 0 | Very low risk — may be suitable for outpatient management |
| 1–6 | Increased risk — admission generally warranted |
| ≥7 | High risk — early endoscopy generally warranted |
References
Blatchford O, Murray WR, Blatchford M. A risk score to predict need for treatment for upper-gastrointestinal haemorrhage. Lancet. 2000.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a score of 0 mean?
A score of 0 is associated with very low risk, and such patients are sometimes considered for outpatient management rather than admission, per local protocol.
Why does urea use mmol/L here?
The validated score was derived using mmol/L. If your lab reports BUN in mg/dL, convert by dividing by approximately 2.8 to get urea in mmol/L.
Does this score require endoscopy to calculate?
No — that's its main advantage. It uses only clinical findings and basic labs, so it can be calculated immediately on presentation.