TITLE:
Seasonal Variation of Esophageal Variceal Bleeding in Brazzaville
AUTHORS:
Pérès Mardochée Motoula Latou, Rody Stéphane Ngami, Evodie Syntyche Motoula Latou, Ngala Akoa Itoua Ngaporo, Lesty Ibara Kolo, Marlyse Ngalessami Mouakosso, Moria Gilga Ibobi, Bénédicte Ahombo Niotsebe, Bienvenu Hostaud Atipo Ibara, Sandra Céline Adoua, Jile Florent Mimiesse Mounamou, Arnaud Mongo Onkouo, Clausina Mikolele Ahoui Apendi, Blaise Irénée Atipo Ibara
KEYWORDS:
Seasonal Variation, Esophageal Variceal Bleeding, CHUB, Brazzaville
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Gastroenterology,
Vol.15 No.11,
November
24,
2025
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Seasonal variation of upper gastrointestinal bleeding has been reported in many studies. Concerning the seasons’ influence on the incidence of esophageal variceal bleeding, there is no data from the Republic of Congo. Aims: Our aim was to assess seasonal variations in hospitalizations related to variceal bleeding in our setting and determine whether a particular month or period of the year is at high risk of variceal bleeding. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study using Data of all the patients hospitalized in the gastroenterology unit of the Brazzaville university hospital from January 2014 to December 2023 with a diagnosis of acute variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Demographic data, seasonal, and monthly variation were analyzed. Results: A total of 177 patients hospitalized with esophageal variceal bleeding were included. The highest number of hospitalizations was reported in June (25 patients), and the lowest was reported in November (7 patients). The majority of variceal bleeding patients (40.7%) were recorded between May 16 and September 15, corresponding to the long dry season. Conclusions: There is a seasonal variation in hospitalizations for esophageal variceal bleeding in Brazzaville. The highest number of hospitalizations was seen in the long dry season, which is the colder period of the year.