Data on incidence and outcome parameters such as in-hospital mortality are sparse. Two studies in the US showed an incidence of upper gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage of between 60 and 78 per 100,000 population in 2009.[6]Laine L, Yang H, Chang SC, et al. Trends for incidence of hospitalization and death due to GI complications in the United States from 2001 to 2009. Am J Gastroenterol. 2012 Aug;107(8):1190-5; quiz 1196.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22688850?tool=bestpractice.com
[7]Abougergi MS, Travis AC, Saltzman JR. The in-hospital mortality rate for upper GI hemorrhage has decreased over 2 decades in the United States: a nationwide analysis. Gastrointest Endosc. 2015 Apr;81(4):882-8.e1.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25484324?tool=bestpractice.com
In one German study based on standardized hospital discharge data provided by the German Federal Statistical Office between 2010 and 2019, an average of approximately 6000 patients per year had MWT, with an overall annual hospitalization incidence of 7.5/100,000 persons and an in-hospital mortality rate of 2.7%.[8]Mertens A, Essing T, Roderburg C, et al. A systematic analysis of incidence, therapeutic strategies, and in-hospital mortality of mallory-weiss syndrome in Germany. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2024 Aug 1;58(7):640-9.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37668412?tool=bestpractice.com
MWT represents approximately 5% to 7% of upper GI bleeding.[9]Maity R, Dhali A, Biswas J. Importance of risk assessment, endoscopic hemostasis, and recent advancements in the management of acute non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding. World J Clin Cases. 2024 Aug 26;12(24):5462-7.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11269988
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39188600?tool=bestpractice.com
It is less common in children, who represent about 0.3% of upper GI bleeds.[10]Bak-Romaniszyn L, Małecka-Panas E, Czkwianianc E, et al. Mallory-Weiss syndrome in children. Disease Esophagus. 1999;12(1):65-7.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10941865?tool=bestpractice.com
MWT is more common in men than in women in a ratio of 3:1.[11]Kerlin P, Bassett D, Grant AK, et al. The Mallory-Weiss lesion: a five-year experience. Med J Aust. 1978 May 6;1(9):471-3.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/672735?tool=bestpractice.com
In women of childbearing age, the most common cause is hyperemesis gravidarum.[12]Ismail SK, Kenny L. Review on hyperemesis gravidarum. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2007;21(5):755-69.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17889806?tool=bestpractice.com
MWT has no racial predilection. The age of presentation may vary but is most common in people between 30 to 50 years of age.[10]Bak-Romaniszyn L, Małecka-Panas E, Czkwianianc E, et al. Mallory-Weiss syndrome in children. Disease Esophagus. 1999;12(1):65-7.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10941865?tool=bestpractice.com
Recurrent bleeding after an episode of MWT has been reported to occur in around 10% of patients.[13]Kim JW, Kim HS, Byun JW, et al. Predictive factors of recurrent bleeding in Mallory-Weiss syndrome. Korean J Gastroenterol. 2005 Dec;46(6):447-54.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16371719?tool=bestpractice.com
[14]Harris JM, DiPalma JA. Clinical significance of Mallory-Weiss tears. Am J Gastroenterol. 1993 Dec;88(12):2056-8.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8249973?tool=bestpractice.com