BACKGROUND: Determining the risk stratification of nonvariceal upper 
gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) plays a vital role in treating upper 
gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). Traditional scores like Glasgow-Blatchford 
score (GBS), Rockall score (RS), and AIMS65 score have been widely utilized in 
UGIB practice, however exhibiting limited practical use due to relative lack of 
user-friendly characters. Prealbumin as a nutritional indicator and d-dimer as a 
fibrinolytic activity monitor, are generally used to evaluate the overall 
nutritional and fibrinolytic condition in UGIB patients.
AIMS: Here, we explored the predictive value of these two markers in NVUGIB for 
evaluating severity and prognosis including rebleeding and surgery intervention.
METHODS: One hundred and eighty-five patients suffering NVUGIB were enrolled. 
Their GBS, RS, and AIMS65 score, routine laboratory test results including 
prealbumin and d-dimer were determined after admission. Multivariate regression 
analysis was performed to define the independent predictors of rebleeding. ROC 
curves were generated to compare the suitability of prealbumin, d-dimer, and 
scores for rebleeding prediction.
RESULTS: The NVUGIB patients with rebleeding exhibited higher scores, white 
blood cell counts, d-dimer, CRP, proportion of surgery intervention, and longer 
hospital stay, but lower hematocrit, hemoglobin, calcium, prealbumin, and 
fibrinogen than those without rebleeding. The multivariate regression analysis 
demonstrated that prealbumin and d-dimer were independent predictors for 
rebleeding. Values of prealbumin and d-dimer were correlated with hospital stay, 
ulcer degrees, and surgery demand. The ROC curve analyses showed that prealbumin 
and d-dimer exhibited superior prediction value over the scoring systems.
CONCLUSIONS: Prealbumin and d-dimer are promising predictors for severity and 
prognosis in NVUGIB practice.