Glasgow-Blatchford Score Calculator

Enter your patient's blood urea nitrogen, hemoglobin, systolic blood pressure, and clinical findings to calculate the Glasgow-Blatchford Score (GBS). This tool stratifies patients with acute upper GI bleeding by risk, identifying who needs intervention versus who may be managed as an outpatient. Results include the total GBS score and a risk interpretation.

Disclaimer: This tool is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any health-related decisions.

Patient Sex *

mg/dL

Enter serum BUN in mg/dL

g/dL

Enter hemoglobin in g/dL

mmHg

Initial systolic blood pressure in mmHg

Heart Rate ≥ 100 bpm? *

Presentation with Melena? *

Presentation with Syncope? *

Hepatic Disease Present? *

Cardiac Failure Present? *

Results

Glasgow-Blatchford Score

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Risk Category

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BUN Points

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Hemoglobin Points

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SBP Points

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Clinical Feature Points

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Glasgow-Blatchford Score (GBS)?

The Glasgow-Blatchford Score is a clinical risk stratification tool used to predict whether patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding will require medical intervention such as blood transfusion, endoscopy, or surgery. It was developed by Blatchford et al. in 2000 and does not rely on endoscopic findings, making it useful at the point of initial presentation.

What does a score of 0 mean on the Glasgow-Blatchford Score?

A GBS of 0 indicates very low risk and suggests the patient may be safely managed as an outpatient without urgent endoscopy or admission. Studies have shown that patients with a score of 0 have a less than 1% risk of needing intervention, making them candidates for early discharge.

What is considered a high Glasgow-Blatchford Score?

A score of 7 or higher is generally considered high risk, indicating that the patient is very likely to need intervention such as endoscopy, blood transfusion, or surgery. Scores above 12 carry particularly high mortality risk and warrant urgent inpatient management.

How is blood urea nitrogen (BUN) scored in the GBS?

BUN is scored on a tiered scale: 18.2–22.3 mg/dL earns 2 points, 22.4–27.9 mg/dL earns 3 points, 28.0–69.9 mg/dL earns 4 points, and ≥70 mg/dL earns 6 points. Elevated BUN reflects blood in the GI tract being digested and absorbed, raising the nitrogen load.

How is hemoglobin scored differently by sex?

For males, hemoglobin 12.0–12.9 g/dL earns 1 point, 10.0–11.9 g/dL earns 3 points, and below 10 g/dL earns 6 points. For females, hemoglobin 10.0–11.9 g/dL earns 1 point and below 10 g/dL earns 6 points. Sex-based thresholds reflect the physiological differences in normal hemoglobin ranges.

Can the Glasgow-Blatchford Score replace endoscopy?

No — the GBS is a pre-endoscopic triage tool, not a replacement for endoscopy. It helps clinicians decide who needs urgent endoscopic evaluation versus who can be safely managed conservatively or as an outpatient. All patients with significant GI bleeding should ultimately receive appropriate endoscopic assessment.

What clinical features contribute to a higher GBS?

Clinical features that add points include a heart rate ≥ 100 bpm (+1), presentation with melena (+1), syncope at presentation (+2), known hepatic disease (+2), and known cardiac failure (+2). These findings indicate greater hemodynamic compromise or underlying comorbidities that worsen prognosis.

How does systolic blood pressure affect the score?

Systolic blood pressure (SBP) is scored as follows: SBP 100–109 mmHg earns 1 point, SBP 90–99 mmHg earns 2 points, and SBP below 90 mmHg earns 3 points. Normal SBP (≥110 mmHg) contributes 0 points. Lower blood pressure indicates hemodynamic instability and more severe bleeding.