Liver & Gastroenterology

Glasgow-Blatchford Score Calculator – Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding Risk

Clinical calculation support · Verify results before clinical use

Glasgow-Blatchford Score

Enter the patient's pre-endoscopy clinical and laboratory findings.

—GBS

0Total GBS

Pre-endoscopy risk assessment

Clinical interpretation

Score breakdown

Component	Patient finding	Points
Total Glasgow-Blatchford Score

The score supports pre-endoscopy risk stratification and must be interpreted alongside haemodynamic status, ongoing bleeding, comorbidities, and clinical judgement.

About the Glasgow-Blatchford Score

The Glasgow-Blatchford Score (GBS) is a pre-endoscopic risk assessment tool for adults presenting with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding. It estimates the likelihood of requiring clinical intervention, including blood transfusion or intervention to control bleeding.

The original score uses admission blood urea, hemoglobin, pulse, systolic blood pressure, presentation with syncope or melena, and evidence of hepatic disease or cardiac failure. The total score ranges from 0 to 23; higher scores indicate greater risk of requiring treatment.

Scoring criteria

Variable	Criterion	Points
Blood urea	6.5–<8 mmol/L	2
Blood urea	8–<10 mmol/L	3
Blood urea	10–<25 mmol/L	4
Blood urea	≥25 mmol/L	6
Hemoglobin (male)	12–<13 g/dL	1
Hemoglobin (male)	10–<12 g/dL	3
Hemoglobin (male/female)	<10 g/dL	6
Hemoglobin (female)	10–<12 g/dL	1
Systolic BP	100–109 / 90–99 / <90 mmHg	1 / 2 / 3
Heart rate	≥100 beats/min	1
Melena	Present	1
Syncope	Present	2
Hepatic disease	Present	2
Cardiac failure	Present	2

Risk interpretation

GBS	Interpretation	Clinical context
0–1	Very low risk	May be considered for outpatient management with appropriate follow-up.
≥2	Above very-low-risk threshold	Further clinical assessment and management in the appropriate care setting are required.

ACG and ESGE guidance identify GBS 0–1 as the very-low-risk threshold for considering outpatient management. A score above 1 does not, by itself, prescribe a specific intervention or establish a diagnosis.

References

Blatchford O, Murray WR, Blatchford M.A risk score to predict need for treatment for upper-gastrointestinal haemorrhage. The Lancet. 2000;356(9238):1318–1321.DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(00)02816-6

Laine L, Barkun AN, Saltzman JR, Martel M, Leontiadis GI.ACG Clinical Guideline: Upper Gastrointestinal and Ulcer Bleeding. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2021;116(5):899–917.DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000001245

Gralnek IM, et al.Endoscopic diagnosis and management of nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (NVUGIH): ESGE Guideline – Update 2021. Endoscopy. 2021;53(3):300–332.DOI: 10.1055/a-1369-5274

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding in over 16s: management. NICE guideline CG141.Official NICE guideline

Clinical disclaimer: The Glasgow-Blatchford Score is an adjunct for pre-endoscopy risk stratification in adults with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding. It must not replace resuscitation, clinical assessment, specialist consultation, or local protocols. A low score does not override other reasons for admission or concern, and a score above 1 is not a stand-alone indication for a particular intervention.

Glasgow-Blatchford Score Calculator – Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding Risk