Glasgow-Blatchford Score Calculator (Upper GI Bleed)
Glasgow-Blatchford bleeding score for upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage — urea, haemoglobin, blood pressure, pulse, melaena, syncope, liver disease, heart failure — with outpatient-safe threshold and intervention risk.
How it works
Urea 6.5–8 2 / 8–10 3 / 10–25 4 / ≥ 25 6; Hb men 120–130 1 / 100–120 3 / < 100 6, women 100–120 1 / < 100 6; SBP 100–109 1 / 90–99 2 / < 90 3; pulse ≥ 100 1; melaena 1; syncope 2; liver disease 2; heart failure 2
The Glasgow-Blatchford score answers the first question in an upper GI bleed — does this patient need to be in hospital? — using only history, vital signs and two blood tests, so it can be calculated before endoscopy. Urea rises as blood protein is digested and absorbed, which is why it earns up to six points. A score of zero (or one, under the 2021 ESGE guideline) identifies patients with under 1% chance of needing transfusion, endoscopic therapy or surgery, who can be discharged for outpatient endoscopy. Higher scores predict the need for intervention better than the pre-endoscopy Rockall score, which is aimed at mortality. GBS does not replace endoscopy in admitted patients; it triages its urgency.
Worked example
Urea 9.5 (3), haemoglobin 112 in a man (3), systolic 104 (1), pulse 108 (1), melaena (1): GBS 9 — high risk, resuscitate and arrange urgent endoscopy.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Rockall score?
Rockall predicts mortality and rebleeding using age, shock, comorbidity and — in the full version — endoscopic findings. GBS is better for deciding admission; Rockall for prognosis after endoscopy.
Can GBS be used for lower GI bleeding?
No — it was derived for upper GI bleeds. The Oakland score serves a similar purpose in lower GI bleeding.
Related calculators
Clinical decision tool for education and for use by trained clinicians alongside judgement — not a diagnosis and not a substitute for medical assessment. Scores validated in specific populations may not apply to every patient.