Unlike upper GI bleeding, for LGIB there is still a paucity of data on clinical presentation, patient characteristics, pathways of care and outcomes for LGIB patients. In-hospital mortality ranges from 1.2% to 8.8% (2-4), according to retrospective studies, but data from prospective series are still limited (5).

Present multicentre, prospective, observational study was designed to explore these areas, to assess variations in practice management and to identify factors associated with patient outcomes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• adult patients with acute lower GI bleeding

Exclusion Criteria:

• age below 18 years
• bleeding patients with an upper GI source

Consecutive, unselected outpatients acutely admitted for LGIB or developing LGIB during hospital stay (inpatients) were eligible for inclusion if they fulfilled the following criteria: i) age > 18 years; ii) recent (< 3 days) onset of overt bleeding with bright or dark blood or clots per rectum or melaena without hematemesis